NWOBHM

New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) describes a movement in British heavy metal that emerged in the late 1970s and reached a peak in the early to mid-1980s. It blended the aggression and DIY ethic of punk with more complex guitar work and faster tempos, producing a guitar-driven sound that stood apart from both earlier hard rock and mainstream metal.

Its development occurred in clubs and regional scenes across Britain, with a hub around London’s Marquee Club and the Midlands scene centered on Birmingham. The term was popularized by music journalists in the British press, notably Kerrang! and writers such as Geoff Barton. Early and influential bands included Iron Maiden, Saxon, Def Leppard, Diamond Head, Tygers of Pan Tang, Angel Witch, and Samson. Independent labels like Neat Records in Newcastle helped document many of these acts, while major labels issued compilations such as Metal for Muthas to spotlight new talent.

Musically, NWOBHM bands emphasized fast tempos, twin-lead guitar harmonies, muscular riffs, and vivid fantasy or historical themes. The period produced bands that achieved international fame and others that remained cult favorites. Iron Maiden became a global act with albums released from The Number of the Beast (1982) onward; Def Leppard achieved mainstream success with Pyromania (1983) and later Hysteria; Saxon enjoyed charting success in Britain and abroad. Diamond Head’s material, recorded during the scene’s heyday, later influenced thrash metal through Metallica’s cover of Am I Evil? and similar works.

Legacy: NWOBHM helped revive British heavy metal and influenced the development of speed and thrash metal in the 1980s and beyond. It generated a lasting underground network, inspired fans and musicians worldwide, and shaped the sound and aesthetics of heavy metal in the subsequent decades. The term remains a label for a key era of British metal history.