Unknown Soldier

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.