50 YEARS OF METAL

Emil
Jan 17, 2020
4 min read

Updated: Jan 24, 2020

Part II: Metal For The Masses ... the 1980s

Following such respectable size big-bang, an equally sizable expansion was unavoidable … and it arrived! Heavy metal experienced an intensely thriving period during the 1980s, managing to carve its' way into music’s mainstream by the later years of the decade, ushering an array of sub-genres and styles during the process. From the dawn of the decade, both sides of the North Atlantic were producing acts that were attracting larger followings and gaining more and more popularity. UK/Europe’s approach was a bit sharper in contrast with the more flamboyant American inclinations, which immediately began cross influencing each other. Perhaps the most influential trait to contemporary heavy metal, the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM), born in the late 1970s, took the very early nineteen eighties by storm! Newly formed American acts were “borrowing” heavily from 1970s British glam rock, resulting in mainstream dominant glam metal. Very significantly, taking massive cues from the NWOBHM and speed metal, Metallica unleashed the beast by concocting thrash metal! Developing on its' own, thrash metal spread like fire globally, delivering aggression to legions of new fans for years to come. By the mid 1980s, metal scene emerged into the darkest and most extreme realms via black metal, meanwhile doom metal and epic heavy metal attained cult status. Before the end of the decade, benefiting from high quality production, proper distribution and airplay, metal was in the mainstream’s bright spotlight.

The rules remain the same: only one album per act (!) regardless of longevity and generosity of catalog. Once again: nothing based on commercial merits (!) - I wasn't aiming for the best, the greatest, or the most successful of albums. It would be absolutely pointless to publish a carbon copy of thousands of lists on the same subject in the past 50 years. (To the reader:) I apologize in advance if your favorite album from a certain band wasn't included! I also plead with anyone discovering something new to make the effort to research further, in the event one title or another stirred interest. I'm absolutely positive that there is something for everyone to enjoy, included here. Besides some mighty huge titles, my attempt was to showcase the overlooked/underrated acts/titles showcasing the development and connections within the rock/metal genre. All these acts deserve positive, proper recognition.

Metal for the masses ...

1980

AC/DC

(Australia)

Back In Black

Released on July 25, 1980

Hard rock/heavy metal

Part II: Metal For The Masses ... the 1980s

1980

AC/DC

(Australia)

Back In Black

SAXON

(UK)

Wheels Of Steel

ANGEL WITCH

(UK)

Angel Witch

TRUST

(France)

Répression

WHITE SPIRIT

(UK)

White Spirit

1981

RUSH

(Canada)

Moving Pictures

MOTLEY CRUE

(USA)

Too Fast For Love

TYGERS OF PAN TANG

(UK)

Spellbound

HOLOCAUST

(Scotland/UK)

The Nightcomers

PICTURE

(Netherlands)

Heavy Metal Ears

1982

SCORPIONS

(Germany)

Blackout

GARY MOORE

(Northern Ireland/UK)

Corridors Of Power

HUGHES/THRALL

(UK/USA)

Hughes/Thrall

TANK

(UK)

Filth Hounds Of Hades

VENOM

(UK)

Black Metal

1983

METALLICA

(USA)

Kill 'Em All

DIO

(USA)

Holy Diver

Y&T

(USA)

Mean Streak

STEELER

(USA)

Steeler

SAVAGE

(UK)

Loose 'N Lethal

1984

IRON MAIDEN

(UK)

Powerslave

TROUBLE

(USA)

Psalm 9

OMEN

(USA)

Battle Cry

WARLORD

(USA)

and the Cannons of Destruction have begun ...

JAG PANZER

(USA)