NWOBHM stands for New Wave of British Heavy Metal. It refers to a musical movement that emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the United Kingdom. This subgenre of heavy metal is characterized by its fast-paced, guitar-driven sound and raw, energetic style.
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal was a significant turning point in the history of heavy metal music. As the description suggests, it represented a new wave or generation of bands who were heavily influenced by the original heavy metal pioneers like Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, and Deep Purple. However, NWOBHM brought a fresh and distinctive sound to the genre.
Key characteristics of NWOBHM include heavy, palm-muted guitar riffs, intense and catchy guitar solos, thunderous drumming, melodic vocals often delivered with raspy power, and lyrical themes revolving around rebellion, fantasy, and mythology. Notable bands associated with the NWOBHM movement include Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, Saxon, Diamond Head, and Angel Witch, among others.
The New Wave of British Heavy Metal had a lasting impact, influencing subsequent metal genres such as power metal, thrash metal, and speed metal. It helped rejuvenate heavy metal, leading to its resurgence in popularity during the 1980s and beyond. NWOBHM also contributed to the expansion and globalization of heavy metal, inspiring bands around the world.
Today, NWOBHM remains an important and highly regarded era in the history of heavy metal, revered for its energetic, raw sound and its contribution to the evolution of the genre.
