New Wave of British Heavy Metal

Unknown Soldier · 07-27-2011, 05:54 AM

The NWOBHM was without doubt one of the most important movements in the history of metal. It emerged in the late 1970`s as a reaction to the decline of traditional hard rock and metal bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, leaving music at the heavier end of the spectrum being represented mostly by bands such as AC/DC, Judas Priest and Scorpions etc. Judas Priest were essentially the flag bearers of British metal throughout the 1970`s and the NWOBHM owes so much to them.

The NWOBHM basically built from the Judas Priest sound and incorporated elements of punk and altogether gave metal a much tougher sound and image. Music wise most of the bands had great vocalists such as Paul D`Anno, Bruce Dic(K)inson and Bill Byford to name just a few, the guitar solos on most of these albums were the stuff of legend and the album covers a major image factor as well (Iron Maiden cracked that one early on) The bands image wise quickly became associated with the hard living life-style and plenty of denim, leathers and chains. This movement included bands like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Saxon and DEF Leppard, but some of the best albums were put out by some of the lesser known bands such as Samson, Angel Witch and Diamond Head etc.

The impact of the NWOBHM was simply amazing and changed metal forever and imo the only other metal movement that has had the same impact was the San Francisco thrash movement several years later. The NWOBHM was a major influence on bands such as Metallica and Megadeth who constantly namecheck a whole host of bands from this era as influences. By the mid 1980`s the movement had seriously declined, as a most of the bigger bands had targeted a more radio friendly sound for the US market and other bands had simply failed to build upon their initial successes.

Over the next several days, I`ll put up 10 or so of the essential albums of this movement and a bit about them, but everybody feel free to post their best albums, songs and opinions etc.

Howard the Duck · 07-27-2011, 06:07 AM

actually, I'm more interested in bands that slipped under the radar like Warfare and Blitzkrieg rather than the big names (whose albums I already own nearly all of) and the seminal influential bands like Venom and Diamond Head

Unknown Soldier · 07-27-2011, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

actually, I'm more interested in bands that slipped under the radar like Warfare and Blitzkrieg rather than the big names (whose albums I already own nearly all of) and the seminal influential bands like Venom and Diamond Head

For that exact reason I started the thread, to talk about and review both the big bands and also THE LITTLE/FORGOTTEN ONES as well, so stop complaining

Urban Hat€monger ? · 07-27-2011, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unknown Soldier

For that exact reason I started the thread, to talk about and review both the big bands and also THE LITTLE/FORGOTTEN ONES as well, so stop complaining

White Spirit's one & only album better be on here then.

Unknown Soldier · 07-27-2011, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

White Spirit's one & only album better be on here then.

I was toying with the idea of putting that album on the list anyway, but now that you`ve mentioned it I may well include it.

Dr_Rez · 05-21-2012, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hatemonger

White Spirit's one & only album better be on here then.

Whats amazing is they were featured on like 15 different compilation albums.

Unknown Soldier · 09-18-2012, 03:45 PM

Great collection of NWOBHM riffs, found it on YouTube.

top NWOBHM riffs - YouTube

Howard the Duck · 07-27-2011, 06:14 AM

^^just stating my preference

Unknown Soldier · 07-27-2011, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Il Duce

^^just stating my preference

What I`ll do is alternate the albums between 1 well known and 1 not very well known.

Howard the Duck · 07-27-2011, 06:43 AM

okies, you don't have to bow down to my demands

07-27-2011, 05:54 AM	#1 (permalink)
Unknown Soldier Horribly Creative Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London, The Big Smoke Posts: 8,265	New Wave of British Heavy Metal The NWOBHM was without doubt one of the most important movements in the history of metal. It emerged in the late 1970`s as a reaction to the decline of traditional hard rock and metal bands such as Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath, leaving music at the heavier end of the spectrum being represented mostly by bands such as AC/DC, Judas Priest and Scorpions etc. Judas Priest were essentially the flag bearers of British metal throughout the 1970`s and the NWOBHM owes so much to them. The NWOBHM basically built from the Judas Priest sound and incorporated elements of punk and altogether gave metal a much tougher sound and image. Music wise most of the bands had great vocalists such as Paul D`Anno, Bruce Dic(K)inson and Bill Byford to name just a few, the guitar solos on most of these albums were the stuff of legend and the album covers a major image factor as well (Iron Maiden cracked that one early on) The bands image wise quickly became associated with the hard living life-style and plenty of denim, leathers and chains. This movement included bands like Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Saxon and DEF Leppard, but some of the best albums were put out by some of the lesser known bands such as Samson, Angel Witch and Diamond Head etc. The impact of the NWOBHM was simply amazing and changed metal forever and imo the only other metal movement that has had the same impact was the San Francisco thrash movement several years later. The NWOBHM was a major influence on bands such as Metallica and Megadeth who constantly namecheck a whole host of bands from this era as influences. By the mid 1980`s the movement had seriously declined, as a most of the bigger bands had targeted a more radio friendly sound for the US market and other bands had simply failed to build upon their initial successes. Over the next several days, I`ll put up 10 or so of the essential albums of this movement and a bit about them, but everybody feel free to post their best albums, songs and opinions etc. Last edited by Unknown Soldier; 07-28-2011 at 08:07 AM.