Traditional heavy metal
This genre characterizes the use of thumping fast basslines, fast, but less heavy riffs, extended lead guitar solos, high pitched vocals and anthemic choruses. Often, this is the earliest form of real metal (ie after Roots Of Metal artistes like Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple) Artistes include Iron Maiden, Saxon, Dokken, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Europe and others. It shouldn't be confused with Roots Of Metal genre. This genre boomed in the early to mid 80s, when NWOBHM fizzled out, till when Hair metal came in.
Although, it lasted only for a short time, Classic Metal bands enjoyed a lot of commercial success all over the world. The figures say it all. Iron Maiden sold in excess of 58 million albums during the 80s, Dokken sold more than 16 million in US alone. Europe's landmark album 'The Final Countdown' sold over 7 million copies in the States, while Scorpions and Judas Priest sold out big arenas around the world.
Classic Metal influenced a lot of later Metal genres, including Hair Metal, Thrash, Power Metal and others. Although these bands were less heavier than Thrash and Death Metal bands like Metallica, Anthrax, Morbid Angel etc., the sheer classicicity and melody put in makes them stand out. Many times referred to as the purest form of Metal, the combination of melody and agression was amazing.
Important Artists
- Iron Maiden
- Judas Priest
- Dokken
- Saxon
- Twisted Sister
- Quiet Riot
- Accept
- Europe
- W.A.S.P.
- Manowar
- Dio
- Scorpions
Important Albums
- Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast
- Dio - Holy Diver
- Dokken - Tooth And Nail
- Judas Priest - Screamin For Vengeance
- Twisted Sister - Under The Blade
- Saxon - Denim And Leather
- W.A.S.P. - The Last Command
- Quiet Riot - Metal Health
- Scorpions - Blackout
Definitive Classic Metal Anthems
- Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden
- Rainbow In The Dark - Dio
- Under The Blade - Twisted Sister
- You've Got Another Thing Cumin - Judas Priest
- Into The Fire - Dokken
- Bang Your Head - Quiet Riot
- Balls To The Wall - Accept
- I Wanna Be Somebody - W.A.S.P.
- And The Bands Played On - Saxon
- Kings Of Metal - Manowar
