New Wave of British Heavy Metal

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (frequently abbreviated as NWOBHM and occasionally pronounced /n.ˈwɒbm/) was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. NWOBHM bands toned down the blues influences of earlier acts, incorporate... More

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (frequently abbreviated as NWOBHM and occasionally pronounced /n.ˈwɒbm/) was a heavy metal movement that started in the late 1970s, in Britain, and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The movement developed as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. NWOBHM bands toned down the blues influences of earlier acts, incorporated elements of punk, increased the tempo, and adopted a "tougher" sound, taking a harder approach to its music. It was a scene directed almost exclusively at heavy metal fans. The era is considered to be a major foundation stone for the extreme metal genres; acts such as the American metal band Metallica cite NWOBHM bands like Saxon, Motörhead, Diamond Head, and Iron Maiden as a major influence on their musical style. The NWOBHM came to dominate the heavy metal scene of the early-mid 1980s. NWOBHM was musically characterized by fast upbeat...

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