Theme: Lightning To The Nations (1979-1982)

The short and fast life of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM).

The New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) was a nationwide musical movement that started in England in the late-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. The term was coined for the May 1979 issue of the British music newspaper 'Sounds' to describe the emergence of new heavy metal bands during the period of punk rock's decline. Although encompassing diverse styles inherited from rock music, the music of the NWOBHM is best remembered for drawing on the heavy metal of the 1970s and infusing it with the intensity of punk rock to produce fast and aggressive songs. Although some well known established bands (such as Judas Priest and Motorhead) are often associated with the movement, the 'do-it-yourself' attitude of the new unsigned bands like Angel Witch and Diamond Head led to the spread of raw-sounding, self-produced recordings and a proliferation of independent record labels. The movement faded by the early 1980s when major record labels signed the best of the bands, and this page lists the most important (and infuential) releases of the era.

[Sorted Chronologically]

Def Leppard Def Leppard - The Def Leppard E.P. [E.P.] ?? January 1979 'The Def Leppard E.P.' is the debut E.P. by Def Leppard. It was recorded and self-produced by the band. It was limited to 1,000 copies hand assembled by vocalist Joe Elliot and his mother. Hard Rock Motorhead Motorhead - Overkill [Album] 24 March 1979 'Overkill' is the second studio album by Motorhead. Kerrang! magazine listed the album at number 46 among the "100 Greatest Heavy Metal Albums Of All Time". American thrash metal band Overkill was named after this album. Hard Rock Saxon Saxon - Saxon [Album] 21 May 1979 'Saxon' is the debut studio album by Saxon. Heavy Metal Samson Samson - Survivors [Album] ?? June 1979 'Survivors' is the debut studio album by Samson. Although vocalist future Iron Maiden vocalist Bruce Dickinson appears as a band member on the cover sheet, the album was completed before he joined the band, with guitarist Paul Samson on vocal duty. Heavy Metal Judas Priest Judas Priest - Unleashed In The East (Live In Japan) [Album] 17 September 1979 'Unleashed In The East' is the first live album by Judas Priest. It was recorded live over two nights in Tokyo during their Hell Bent For Leather Tour in February 1979. It was the last album to feature drummer Les Binks. To what extent the album was really live remains a matter of contention, with the album sometimes being called Unleashed In The Studio. Years later, after he had left Priest, vocalist Rob Halford noted in various interviews that the music was indeed live, but that his vocals had been ruined in the original recording and were later dubbed in a concert-like studio setting. Upon release it became the band's best-selling album up to that point, reaching the U.S. Top 100 and the U.K. Top Ten, eventually the album became one of the five Judas Priest albums to gain a RIAA platinum certification. Heavy Metal Motorhead Motorhead - Bomber [Album] 27 October 1979 'Bomber' is the third studio album by Motorhead. This album is the first to have a picture of the band on the cover, which features all three members inside a fighter plane. The track 'Step Down' features guitarist Eddie Clarke on vocals. Hard Rock Iron Maiden Iron Maiden - The Soundhouse Tapes [E.P.] 9 November 1979 'The Soundhouse Tapes' is the debut E.P. by Iron Maiden, and the first recordings by the band. It features three songs taken from the demo tape recorded at Spaceward Studios on 30/31 December 1978. Although major retail chains tried to order large quantities of the record, the band only distributed 5,000 copies, available by mail order alone, which sold out in just a few weeks. Because of this the E.P. is now a valuable collector's item, fetching high prices at online auctions. Heavy Metal Motorhead Motorhead - On Parole [Unofficial Album] 8 December 1979 'On Parole' is an unofficial studio recording released by Motorhead. It was recorded in 1976 and intended as their first album but left unreleased. It was finally released without the band's permission, and they consequently distanced themselves from it. As a result, it was not considered an official release by the band. The L.P. entered the U.K. charts on 8 December, where it peaked at No. 65. Hard Rock Witchfynde Witchfynde - Give 'Em Hell [Album] 5 February 1980 'Give 'Em Hell' is the debut studio album by Witchfynde. The album has been cited as a relevant example for the production of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene and as an inspiration for the black metal subgenre. Heavy Metal Various Artists Various Artists - Metal For Muthas [Compilation Album] 15 February 1980 'Metal For Muthas' is a sampling of various better-known artists of the NWOBHM, primarily known for having some of the earliest recorded material by heavy metal legends Iron Maiden. It reached No. 12 on the British L.P. charts and became the basis of a tour by the artists who contributed songs to the compilation. Iron Maiden, who headlined the tour, became largely intertwined with the history of Sanctuary Records (whose namesake was the similarly named Iron Maiden track on the compilation). -Various- Angel Witch Angel Witch - Angel Witch [Album] 12 March 1980 'Angel Witch' is the first album by the band Angel Witch. The cover features a painting formerly attributed to John Martin titled 'The Fallen Angels Entering Pandemonium'. The album made Angel Witch one of the key bands in the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) scene, and has proven influential on subsequent movements, particularly on then-upcoming thrash metal artists. Heavy Metal Def Leppard Def Leppard - On Through The Night [Album] 14 March 1980 'On Through The Night' is the debut studio album by Def Leppard. It charted at No. 15 on the U.K. Albums Chart and No. 51 on the Billboard 200. The album was certified gold by the RIAA on 18 November 1983 and platinum on 9 May 1989. Hard Rock Iron Maiden Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden [Album] 14 April 1980 'Iron Maiden' is the debut studio album by Iron Maiden. It is the band's only album to feature guitarist Dennis Stratton. Although Iron Maiden have since criticised the quality of the album's production, the release was met with critical and commercial success, peaking at number four on the U.K. Albums Chart and helping the band achieve prominence in mainland Europe. Heavy Metal Judas Priest Judas Priest - British Steel [Album] 14 April 1980 'British Steel' is the seventh album by Judas Priest. It was the band's first album to feature Dave Holland on drums. The album saw them reprise the commercial sound they had established on 'Killing Machine', but this time they abandoned some of the dark lyrical themes which had been prominent on their previous releases. During an interview with Wall Of Sound's Educate Ebony podcast, Max Cavalera stated British Steel is the "essential thrash metal" album everyone needs to hear and says "I'm sure you can ask Metallica, if it wasn't for British Steel they wouldn't be here." Heavy Metal Motorhead Motorhead - The Golden Years [E.P.] 3 May 1980 'The Golden Years' is the first live E.P. by Motorhead. It reached number 8 on the U.K. charts. Hard Rock Saxon Saxon - Wheels Of Steel [Album] 3 May 1980 'Wheels Of Steel is the second studio album by Saxon. It was their first album to enter the U.K. Albums Chart, peaking at number 5, and is their highest-charting album in the U.K. to date. The album eventually went on to achieve gold status in the UK. Heavy Metal Samson Samson - Head On [Album] 27 June 1980 'Head On' is the second studio album by Samson. The cover art features the band's masked drummer, Thunderstick. This is the first album with future Iron Maiden-frontman Bruce Dickinson on vocal duties. The instrumental 'Thunderburst' is credited as co-written by Steve Harris. The track is in fact an alternate version of 'The Ides Of March', an early Iron Maiden song written during the brief time in 1977 in which Thunderstick was in Iron Maiden. Iron Maiden released their own version on the Iron Maiden album 'Killers' the next year, though Steve Harris credited the song solely to himself, annoying the members of Samson. Heavy Metal Girlschool Girlschool - Demolition [Album] 30 June 1980 'Demolition' is the first studio album by Girlschool. It was produced by experienced sound engineer Vic Maile and reached No. 28 in the U.K. Albums Chart, following the rising of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWoBHM) phenomenon. The tour supporting the album included high-profile support slots at Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep shows. Hard Rock Various Artists Various Artists - Metal For Muthas, Volume II (Cut Loud) [Compilation Album] ?? June 1980 'Metal For Muthas, Volume II' sampled artists of the NWOBHM, but those featured were less notable compared to the first volume. It is deliberately reminiscent of the DIY ethic of the late 1970s and early 1980s British heavy metal underground scene. -Various- Tygers Of Pan Tang Tygers Of Pan Tang - Wild Cat [Album] ?? July 1980 'Wild Cat' is the debut album by Tygers Of Pan Tang. It reached #18 on the U.K. album chart. Heavy Metal Diamond Head Diamond Head - Lightning To The Nations [Album] 3 October 1980 'Lightning To The Nations' (also known as 'The White Album') is the debut album by Diamond Head. It was originally self-released in a plain white sleeve with no title or track listing, and was subsequently named after the first track on the album. Heavy Metal Witchfynde Witchfynde - Stagefright [Album] ?? October 1980 'Stagefright' is the second studio album by Witchfynde. Heavy Metal Motorhead Motorhead - Ace Of Spades [Album] 8 November 1980 'Ace Of Spades' is the fourth studio album by Motorhead. It is the band's most commercially successful album, peaking at number four on the U.K. Albums Chart and reaching gold status in the U.K. by March 1981. It was preceded by the release of the title track as a single in October, which peaked in the U.K. Singles Chart at No. 15 in early November. It was the band's debut release in the United States. In 2020, the album was ranked at 408 on Rolling Stone's '500 Greatest Albums Of All Time' list. Hard Rock Saxon Saxon - Strong Arm Of The Law [Album] 14 November 1980 'Strong Arm Of The Law' is the third studio album by Saxon. It debuted on the U.K. charts at #11. According to guitarist Graham Oliver, the title track was inspired by an incident where the band was driving in Whitehall and was subsequently pulled over and searched by the security detail of then British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher. Heavy Metal Motorhead Motorhead - Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers [E.P.] 22 November 1980 'Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers' is an E.P. by the band Motorhead. The E.P. consists of four previously unreleased tracks recorded during sessions for their first album 'Motorhead' in 1977. The E.P. entered the U.K. Singles Charts on 22 November, where it peaked at No. 43. The release was not authorised by the band, though they did not oppose it, and it is now recognised as part of their discography. Hard Rock Raven Raven - Rock Until You Drop [Album] ?? January 1981 'Rock Until You Drop' is the first studio album by Raven. The album was the first of many heavy metal studio albums issued by British independent label Neat Records (who spearheaded the NWOBHM). It reached position No. 63 in the U.K. Albums Chart. Heavy Metal Motorhead HeadGirl [Motorhead & Girlschool] - St. Valentine's Day Massacre [E.P.] 1 February 1981 'St. Valentine's Day Massacre' is an E.P. recorded by members of Motorhead and their labelmates Girlschool, under the moniker Headgirl. It reached number five in the U.K. Singles Charts in 1981. Hard Rock Iron Maiden Iron Maiden - Killers [Album] 20 February 1981 'Killers' is the second studio album by Iron Maiden. The album was their first with guitarist Adrian Smith, and their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who was fired after problems with his stage performances arose due to his alcohol and cocaine use. Heavy Metal Judas Priest Judas Priest - Point Of Entry [Album] 26 February 1981 'Point Of Entry' is the seventh studio album by Judas Priest. Following the commercial success of their previous album 'British Steel' (1980), the band pursued a more radio-friendly direction. The album's name reflects its intended purpose as an accessible introduction to the band's music and the heavy metal genre in general. Heavy Metal Tygers Of Pan Tang Tygers Of Pan Tang - Spellbound [Album] 10 April 1981 'Spellbound' is the second album by Tygers Of Pan Tang. It is the first of two Tygers of Pan Tang albums to feature John Sykes as second guitarist, who later joined Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake. It is also the first album with vocalist Jon Deverill. Heavy Metal Samson Samson - Shock Tactics [Album] 15 May 1981 'Shock Tactics' is the third studio album by Samson. It was vocalist Bruce Dickinson's final album with the band before joining Iron Maiden (who were coincidentally recording 'Killers', their last album with Paul Di'Anno, in the same studio at the same time as Samson). Heavy Metal Angel Witch Angel Witch - Loser [E.P.] ?? May 1981 'Loser' is a studio E.P. by Angel Witch. Heavy Metal Praying Mantis Praying Mantis - Time Tells No Lies [Album] ?? May 1981 'Time Tells No Lies' is the debut studio album by Praying Mantis. It peaked at number 60 on the U.K. Albums Chart in April 1981 where it stayed for two weeks, while 'Cheated', the lead single peaked at number 69 on the U.K. Singles Charts. It would be the band's only album of the 1980s. Heavy Metal Motorhead Motorhead - No Sleep 'til Hammersmith [Album] 27 June 1981 'No Sleep 'til Hammersmith' is the first live album by Motorhead. It peaked at number one on the U.K. Albums Chart. Hard Rock Def Leppard Def Leppard - High 'n' Dry [Album] 11 July 1981 'High 'n' Dry' is the second album by Def Leppard. It charted at No. 38 on the Billboard 200 and No. 26 on the U.K. Albums Chart. Hard Rock Iron Maiden Iron Maiden - Maiden Japan [E.P.] 1 August 1981 'Maiden Japan' is the second E.P. released by Iron Maiden. Made up of live versions of previously released songs, the title is a pun of Deep Purple's live album 'Made In Japan', but oddly the E.P. was released as 'Heavy Metal Army' in that country. It was the last item released with vocalist Paul Di'Anno before he was replaced by Bruce Dickinson. Heavy Metal Saxon Saxon - Denim And Leather [Album] 25 September 1981 'Denim And Leather' is the fourth studio album by Saxon. This was the last album with the classic line-up, as drummer Pete Gill would leave the band due to a hand injury, later joining Motorhead; this was also seen as the last of their trilogy of classic albums (the previous two being 'Wheels Of Steel' and 'Strong Arm Of The Law'). The album was certified Gold status in the U.K. Heavy Metal Tygers Of Pan Tang Tygers Of Pan Tang - Crazy Nights [Album] ?? November 1981 'Crazy Nights' is the third studio album by Tygers Of Pan Tang. It is rumoured to be the last album to be recorded at London's famous Trident Studios before it closed the same year. Heavy Metal Venom Venom - Welcome To Hell [Album] ?? December 1981 'Welcome To Hell' is the debut studio album by Venom. It was released at the culmination of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement. Due to its unpolished sound as a result of it being recorded in only three days, the relatively low-fidelity of the band inspired numerous Norwegian metal bands, who considered it the first black metal. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked it as 74th on their list of 'The 100 Greatest Metal Albums Of All Time.' Black Metal Iron Maiden Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast [Album] 29 March 1982 'The Number Of The Beast' is the third studio album by Iron Maiden. The album was their first to feature vocalist Bruce Dickinson and their last with drummer Clive Burr. The Number of the Beast was met with critical and commercial success, and became the band's first album to top the U.K. Albums Chart and reach the top 40 of the U.S. Billboard 200. The album was also controversial, particularly in the United States, due to the religious references in its artwork and the title track's lyrics. Heavy Metal Motorhead Motorhead - Iron Fist [Album] 17 April 1982 'Iron Fist' is the fifth studio album by Motorhead. It was the final album of the classic Three Amigos lineup of Lemmy Kilmister, 'Fast' Eddie Clarke, and Phil 'Philthy Animal' Taylor. The album peaked at No. 6 on the U.K. album charts. Hard Rock Saxon Saxon - The Eagle Has Landed (Live) [Album] 10 May 1982 'The Eagle Has Landed' is the first live album by Saxon. It is the first Saxon album featuring their long time drummer Nigel Glockler. It was recorded during the European leg of the world tour supporting the album 'Denim And Leather' (1981) and released in 1982. The album reached #5 in the U.K. charts. Heavy Metal Raven Raven - Wiped Out [Album] 3 June 1982 'Wiped Out' is the second studio album by Raven. In 2005, it was ranked number 495 in Rock Hard magazine's book of 'The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums Of All Time'. Heavy Metal Raven Raven - Crash Bang Wallop [E.P.] ?? September 1982 'Crash Bang Wallop' is the first E.P. by Raven. It consists of unreleased songs recorded during the 'Wiped Out' album sessions. Heavy Metal Diamond Head Diamond Head - Borrowed Time [Album] 12 October 1982 'Borrowed Time' is the second studio album by Diamond Head. It was recorded in 1981 and released in 1982, reaching Number 24 on the U.K. Albums Chart. In a 2008 interview, guitarist Brian Tatler said that this was his favourite period with Diamond Head and that the band "seemed to be getting somewhere after six years of building". Heavy Metal Venom Venom - Black Metal [Album] 1 November 1982 'Black Metal' is the second studio album by Venom. It was released iduring the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), and is considered a major influence on the thrash metal, death metal and black metal scenes that emerged in the 1980s and early 1990s. Although the album lent its name to the latter subgenre of heavy metal, today it is still debated if the album's music is speed metal, thrash metal or black metal. Nevertheless, its lyrics and imagery were a major influence on the early Norwegian black metal scene. Black Metal

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