Eruption

This instrumental, from the Van Halen album, introduced the guitar genius of Eddie Van Halen to the world.

The song wasn't originally planned for inclusion on the album. Eddie used to play it live during the band's club days, and one day while he was warming up with the piece for a gig at the Whisky A GoGo, producer Ted Templeman overheard it and suggested it be put on the record. It was recorded twice.

The long descending growl at the end was created using a Univox EC-80 echo unit that Ed housed in an old WWII practice bomb that he picked up from a junkyard. The Univox works off of a cartridge like tape, similar to an 8-track tape.

Half of the song was used in Warner Brothers promotional video for the band's first album. It was used as an introduction to the band and the set of succeeding videos. Eddie is introduced first, followed by Alex, Mike, and then Dave.

The song later appeared on Best of Volume 1.

Eruption was also the name of a North Carolina-based Van Halen tribute band.

A magazine published by the first Dutch Van Halen fan club, active between 1983 and 1984, also had the name Eruption. Four issues were published by Jan Stoffer, founder of the club and consultant to the Dutch fan club 5150.

A Van Halen tribute album showcasing Bart Walsh and Ralph Saenz of the tribute band The Atomic Punks was titled Eruption. The album features classic tracks set to a continuous dance beat including: Jamie's Cryin', Dance the Night Away, Somebody Get Me a Doctor, (Oh) Pretty Woman, Eruption, Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love, You Really Got Me, Unchained, Feel Your Love Tonight, Everybody Wants Some!!, Panama, Atomic Punk, Romeo Delight, Light Up the Sky, On Fire, Atomic Punk (reprise), Bottoms Up, Ice Cream Man, I'm the One, Hot for Teacher, Runnin' With the Devil, Beat It.