Heavy metal musicians made history during the 80s. While certain subgenres forging new territories, others adopted chord progressions, figuration, and ideals of guitar virtuosity from rock’s oldest form into heavy metal music.
The Sex Pistols and Motorhead’s offspring bottled punk-metal fury into this ground-shaking anthem, prompting everyone from Metallica to Napalm Death to take notice.
Discharge
Discharge were one of the most influential punk bands of the 1980s, making a unique mix of punk and heavy metal music with fast guitar riffs and shouted slogans. Their music helped shape UK82 style punk as well as D-beat subgenre. Discharge’s influence extended even further; their music helped influence Thrash metal, Black metal and Crust punk genres as well.
Formation began in Stoke-on-Trent during the late 1970s, and they unleashed all their punk metal fury on their debut album Realities of War (Clay). It proved both critically and commercially successful – garnering praise from Metallica to Napalm Death alike. Unfortunately by Grave New World they had begun to lose some momentum, however when returning with End of Days on Nuclear Blast Records in 2016, fans rejoiced greatly at seeing such classic sound return to them!
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden stands as one of the most beloved, respected and legendary heavy metal bands ever. Their tours span every continent while their chart-topping albums have inspired an international fan base – their legacy remains undisputed.
Attesting to their resilience is the band’s longstanding popularity; even as fashion, taste, and audiences changed throughout its existence they remained popular today just as when bassist Steve Harris first formed them in east London’s working-class suburb.
After Paul Di’Anno left in 1982, Bruce Dickinson joined and added steely resolve that still defines their lasting legacy. Songs like Wicker Man signalled to the world that the band were back and aiming for greater heights with their epic tale of steel, death, and revenge.
Minor Threat
The 1980s was a chaotic decade for heavy metal. Within just years, its soundscape changed from New Wave of British Heavy Metal’s careening tempos and screaming fretwork to Thrash’s Big Four with their dystopic lyrics and violent shredding.
Minor Threat was formed in Washington DC one year after Teen Idles disbanded in 1980, under Ian MacKaye who took inspiration from dynamic performance artist Joe Cocker for his stage persona and soon became one of the early and most influential examples of hardcore punk music. Additionally, they pioneered straight edge philosophy which rejects drugs (including alcohol), tobacco products, sex as well as prosocial activism – eventually becoming known as one of the first examples of hardcore punk.
After recording several 7-inch EPs, guitarist Lyle Preslar left Minor Threat for college; however, they reformed before the end of 1982 with bassist Brian Baker and drummer Steve Hansgen replacing Lyle Preslar and issuing some singles and albums before disbanding again in 1983.
The Crue
Motley Crue is an unapologetic rock band known for their anarchic live shows and irreverent lyrics about parties, fast women and instant self-gratification. Their irresponsible brand of rock music has drawn both criticism from rock critics as well as unwavering support from young audiences worldwide.
Too Fast for Love was their first hit single in 1981 and Elektra Records quickly took notice. Their dramatic stage performances were broadcast live on MTV and they established a fan base well beyond Los Angeles club circuit. With songs like “Looks That Kill”, their reach expanded further afield than just Los Angeles club circuit.
At first, the band’s wild lifestyle caught up with them: Nikki Sixx was shot while Tommy Lee left to form Methods of Mayhem with singer Randy Castillo; however, in 1989 the band reformed and released Dr. Feelgood which became their most successful album; by 1994 however tensions rose so much that Neil decided to leave and the group went into hiatus until 1997 when Generation Swine emerged again.
Black Flag
Black Flag was an influential pioneer of hardcore punk music from the first wave of West Coast music and were one of the key influences on both their genre and subculture. Their sound was heavily influenced by other musical genres including free jazz and contemporary classical as well as marijuana use by its members.
Following the release of their debut album Damaged, Damaged embarked on a tour to promote it – which featured violence at their shows and resulted in singer Dez Cadena being arrested by police for possession of marijuana.
After Cadena was arrested, they were prohibited from touring US customs until his legal situation could be resolved. Although Cadena eventually was allowed back, drummer Robo had been removed (he would later join Misfits). Henry Rollins was brought in as an alternative vocalist who impressed them all with his diverse musical interests during a period when many punk bands focused on one genre exclusively.
Joan Jett
The 1980s were an explosive time for metal music, growing ever bolder and faster with bands such as Motley Crue, Guns N Roses and Quiet Riot dominating Billboard charts while metallica, Anthrax and Slayer emerged with their hardcore sound.
Joan Jett was one of the pioneers of punk rock in Los Angeles and an influential force within her genre; as founder of L.A. punk wildcats The Runaways she inspired a generation of female riot grrrl musicians ranging from Bikini Kill to L7. With an outrage-fueled take-no-shit title track as its flagship track she became one of the greatest rock icons of the era.
After taking an extended hiatus from full-length releases, Jett finally returned in 2006 with Sinner on her own Blackheart Records label. On this record, she explored more hardcore themes while also engaging with political issues and confronting AIDS head on – it debuted at No. 4 on Billboard 200 charts.
Nirvana
Nirvana was an influential grunge band from the early 90s that achieved immense popularity. Their most well-known song was Smells Like Teen Spirit, which quickly became a cultural phenomenon and marked when grunge music first entered mainstream consciousness. Kurt Cobain – lead singer and primary songwriter for Nirvana – often used lyrics that combined abstract imagery with deeply emotional depth as well as disillusionment to craft his lyrics which sometimes came off sounding confusing or nonsensical.
Nirvana only recorded three albums during their short career, yet most consider Nevermind their masterpiece. Over 10 million copies were sold just in the US alone!
The video for this song is an exciting psychedelic trip through images distorted beyond recognition, including live footage from Reading Festival in 1992 where they performed live for their most powerful performance to date. This clip remains an iconic image from that era and widely considered one of their finest moments.
Metallica
Metallica stood in stark contrast to bands like Van Halen and Motley Crue, wearing denim clothing and working tirelessly. Their lyrics explored topics like war (for instance “Disposable Heroes”), addiction (“Seek and Destroy”), religious evangelism (“Leper Messiah”) and failure of mental healthcare services to treat those in need (“Welcome Home (Sanitarium)”).
In July 1982, the band recorded what is often cited as one of the greatest metal demos ever, No Life ‘Till Leather. This demo would later be rerecorded for their debut album Ride the Lightning.
Metallica made significant advances with their 1986/87 release of Master of Puppets, expanding their instrumental range and including longer songs with complex musical themes. As a result, Metallica became an example for other bands following in their footsteps, such as Dream Theater and Voivod. They also became harder hitting on stage; rhythm guitarist James Hetfield walked with confidence akin to cowboy boots, while drummer Lars Ulrich exuded so much energy that it’s hard to imagine him ever sitting still!
Scorpions
Rudolf Schenker founded his band in Hanover, Germany in 1965. At first they incorporated Merseybeat influences with some Led Zeppelin and Taste cover bands influences, but things began to come together when Rudolf’s younger brother Michael joined as lead guitar and Klaus Meine became vocalist. Lonesome Crow, Fly to the Rainbow and In Trance albums were released before Virgin Killer came out featuring its controversial cover featuring an nude prepubescent girl causing considerable outrage from critics.
After Uli Jon Roth left, Matthias Jabs joined and the band made a change towards melodic rock, evident on Lovedrive, an album which marked an important turning point in their sound.
No matter their changing lineups, The Scorpions remain one of the most beloved heavy metal acts ever. Through countless tours and platinum records they remain one of history’s most successful bands; continuing to tour worldwide each year.