The label was established in 1979 by David Wood, who was the owner of Impulse Studios in Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.

Neat Records was arguably the most instrumental label in the revival of heavy metal in the early 1980s in the UK.

The label is most notable for the early releases of Newcastle band Venom who are widely credited with the invention of black metal.

Metallica have covered Blitzkrieg's self-titled song "Blitzkrieg" and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich has claimed "Whiplash" to be a deliberate attempt to emulate Jaguar's song "Stormchild" which was written by Jeff Cox.

[5] Singles Albums [7][8] There have been a number of complications released which feature tracks exclusively from the Neat Records catalogue.