The Definition of 'Heavy Metal'

Big Ears · 10-09-2014, 01:12 AM

Is there a definition of 'heavy metal' or 'metal' for this sub-forum (or forum)? I searched for a definition, but could not one, which could be down to my lack of navigational skills. Thanks.

Plankton · 10-09-2014, 09:56 AM

Here:
Heavy metal - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary

...and here:
Heavy metal music - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wpnfire · 10-09-2014, 10:53 AM

I think he's talking about what this forum considers to be heavy metal.

Well wait, are you looking for a definition of the entire genre of heavy metal, or 'trad' heavy metal? As far as I know, the overarching genre is the same everywhere, and it's the same as the stock definition.

EDIT: Why we're talking about this, I still don't understand why people use 'heavy metal' exclusively to describe 'classic,' or 'proto' metal like Black Sabbath or NWOBHM bands, and if it were up to me, we would just call those traditional metal bands (or NWOBHM) and 'heavy metal' could return to being used for the entire genre.

Plankton · 10-09-2014, 10:58 AM

*shrug*

The Batlord · 10-09-2014, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpnfire

EDIT: Why we're talking about this, I still don't understand why people use 'heavy metal' exclusively to describe 'classic,' or 'proto' metal like Black Sabbath or NWOBHM bands, and if it were up to me, we would just call those traditional metal bands (or NWOBHM) and 'heavy metal' could return to being used for the entire genre.

Because "NWOBHM" doesn't describe all "heavy metal". It certainly doesn't describe Black Sabbath. It's just a "word" used to describe one single movement in one single part of the world during one short time. It doesn't even technically describe a musical genre, just the movement.

Wpnfire · 10-09-2014, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

Because "NWOBHM" doesn't describe all "heavy metal". It certainly doesn't describe Black Sabbath. It's just a "word" used to describe one single movement in one single part of the world during one short time. It doesn't even technically describe a musical genre, just the movement.

I should think it was obvious that I wasn't trying to refer to Sabbath as NWOBHM... Only the bands that are actually classified as NWOBHM should be called NWOBHM.

I guess I've always used NWOBHM to describe bands like Maiden, certain Priest albums, etc... I treat it as a de facto genre.

Isbjørn · 10-09-2014, 11:28 AM

Judas Priest aren't NWOBHM, and Iron Maiden were NWOBHM only on their first two, maybe three albums.

Spoiler for NWOBHM:

Trollheart · 10-09-2014, 12:28 PM

Some people will use NWOBHM as a subgenre, but I prefer NWOBHM-influenced or NWOBHM-period. After all, there are or were many different subgenres prevalent during that time. Angel Witch and Tank were more thrash metal, Maiden more traditional metal, Venom were of course Black Metal. Then you had more AOR-leaning bands such as Leppard and Praying Mantis. So there were a lot of different styles and subgenres, making it pretty impossible to classify a band as NWOBHM really.

Wpnfire · 10-09-2014, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Briks

Judas Priest aren't NWOBHM, and Iron Maiden were NWOBHM only on their first two, maybe three albums.

Spoiler for NWOBHM:

Allmusic disagrees and cites Stained Class, and British Steel as part of it, but I guess I see your point: they also have Def Leppard on who I would never describe as NWOBHM band, so maybe I'm mistaken referring to it as a genre.

The Batlord · 10-09-2014, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpnfire

Allmusic disagrees and cites Stained Class, and British Steel as part of it, but I guess I see your point: they also have Def Leppard on who I would never describe as NWOBHM band, so maybe I'm mistaken referring to it as a genre.

Allmusic can suck a nut. Judas Priest were releasing albums years before the NWOBHM was even a thing. They were a big influence on it, and the albums they released while it was going on were a part of the whole British metal zeitgeist or whatever, but they were not an NWOBHM band. But Def Leppard are, since they actually did come from the movement, and were contemporaries of Maiden and Saxon.

10-09-2014, 01:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
Big Ears Music Addict Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Hampshire, England Posts: 434	The Definition of 'Heavy Metal' Is there a definition of 'heavy metal' or 'metal' for this sub-forum (or forum)? I searched for a definition, but could not one, which could be down to my lack of navigational skills. Thanks. __________________ My Journal: Rabbiting On

10-09-2014, 09:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,766	Here: Heavy metal - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary ...and here: Heavy metal music - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia __________________ See location...

10-09-2014, 10:53 AM	#3 (permalink)
Wpnfire Dragon Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Kansas, United States Posts: 2,744	I think he's talking about what this forum considers to be heavy metal. Well wait, are you looking for a definition of the entire genre of heavy metal, or 'trad' heavy metal? As far as I know, the overarching genre is the same everywhere, and it's the same as the stock definition. EDIT: Why we're talking about this, I still don't understand why people use 'heavy metal' exclusively to describe 'classic,' or 'proto' metal like Black Sabbath or NWOBHM bands, and if it were up to me, we would just call those traditional metal bands (or NWOBHM) and 'heavy metal' could return to being used for the entire genre. __________________ Last.FM My RYM Ratings *My Glitchwave Beta Profile*

10-09-2014, 10:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,766	shrug __________________ See location...

10-09-2014, 11:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Isbjørn cooler commie than elph Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: In a hole, help Posts: 2,811	Judas Priest aren't NWOBHM, and Iron Maiden were NWOBHM only on their first two, maybe three albums. Spoiler for NWOBHM: __________________ fast(ml) Hear me play the guitar Look, mom! I got a journal

10-09-2014, 12:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,970	Some people will use NWOBHM as a subgenre, but I prefer NWOBHM-influenced or NWOBHM-period. After all, there are or were many different subgenres prevalent during that time. Angel Witch and Tank were more thrash metal, Maiden more traditional metal, Venom were of course Black Metal. Then you had more AOR-leaning bands such as Leppard and Praying Mantis. So there were a lot of different styles and subgenres, making it pretty impossible to classify a band as NWOBHM really. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018