Black Sabbath was an English hard-rock and heavy-metal band from Birmingham that formed in 1968. Their original lineup—guitarist Tony Iommi, vocalist Ozzy Osbourne, bassist Geezer Butler, and drummer Bill Ward—defined the band’s early sound, releasing eight studio albums between 1970 and 1978, including Black Sabbath, Paranoid, and Master of Reality. Signature tracks such as “Iron […]
Metallica is an American metal band that spearheaded the US thrash scene with the 1983–84 albums Kill ‘Em All and Ride the Lightning. They shot to fame with their 1986 Elektra release Master of Puppets and its 1988 two-record followup …And Justice for All. Members: Lars Ulrich (drums), James Hetfield (guitar, vocals), Hugh Tanner (guitar, […]
Scorpions are a German hard-rock/metal band, best known for the songs “Loving You Sunday Morning,” “No One Like You,” “Still Loving You,” “Rock You Like a Hurricane,” and “Wind of Change.” Scorpions debuted with the 1972 album Lonesome Crow on Brain/Metronome. After a lineup overhaul, they released four studio albums on RCA Victor. They broke […]
Motörhead was an English metal trio that released a 1977 self-titled album on Chiswick, followed by five studio albums and a live disc between 1979 and 1984 on Bronze. Ex-Hawkwind bassist Lemmy Kilmister fronted Motörhead through numerous iterations across four decades. The classic lineup with guitarist “Fast” Eddie Clarke and drummer Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor […]
Ozzy Osbourne (December 3, 1948 – July 22, 2025) was an English hard-rock/metal singer who gained international fame as the original frontman of Black Sabbath, which he co-founded in 1968. After recording eight studio albums with the band between 1970 and 1978, he left Sabbath in 1979 to launch a solo career. Between 1980 and […]
Ratt was an Americann hard-rock band from Southern California that took shape on the Hollywood club circuit after vocalist Stephen Pearcy reshaped his earlier Mickey Ratt vehicle into a five-piece with guitarists Warren DeMartini and Robbin Crosby, bassist Juan Croucier, and drummer Bobby Blotzer. The band debuted in 1983 with a self-titled EP, then signed […]
Dokken are an American hard-rock band from Los Angeles that formed around singer Don Dokken and fixed its classic lineup with guitarist George Lynch, bassist Jeff Pilson, and drummer Mick Brown during the early 1980s. The group first issued Breaking the Chains in Europe in 1981, then launched its main US run on Elektra with […]
Queensrÿche was an American metal band from Bellevue, Wash., that formed in 1980 as the Mob and broke through with the self-titled Queensrÿche EP on 206 Records in 1983. EMI America picked up the band for the albums The Warning, Rage for Order, and Operation: Mindcrime, which established its first decade through a mix of […]
Manilla Road was an American metal band from Wichita, Kansas, that Mark Shelton and Scott Park formed in 1977. The group opened its album run with Invasion on Roadster in 1980, then sharpened its sound through Metal and Crystal Logic before moving into a second label phase with Open the Gates, The Deluge, Mystification, Out […]
Manowar was an American metal band from Auburn, New York, that bassist Joey DeMaio formed in 1980 with singer Eric Adams and guitarist Ross the Boss. They arrived with the 1982 Liberty release Battle Hymns, then cut a rapid run through Into Glory Ride, Hail to England, Sign of the Hammer, Fighting the World, and […]
Flotsam and Jetsam are an American metal band from Scottsdale, Ariz., that released the album Doomsday for the Deceiver on Metal Blade in 1986, followed by No Place for Disgrace on Elektra in 1988 and a round of titles on MGM during the following decade. Members: Kelly David-Smith (drums, 1982-97), Jason Newsted (bass, 1982-86), Eric […]
Overkill is an American metal band from Old Bridge, N.J., that formed in 1980 and built its first run through the Megaforce and Atlantic albums Feel the Fire, Taking Over, Under the Influence, The Years of Decay, Horrorscope, I Hear Black, and W.F.O. between 1985 and 1994. The group continued on CMC, Metal-Is, Spitfire, Regain, […]
Racer X was an American metal band from Los Angeles that formed in 1985 around guitarist Paul Gilbert, singer Jeff Martin, bassist Juan Alderete, and drummer Harry Gschoesser. The first run produced the Shrapnel albums Street Lethal and Second Heat, followed by the live releases Extreme Volume Live and Extreme Volume II Live, all drawn […]
Vandenberg was a Dutch hard-rock band behind the 1982–85 Atco albums Vandenberg, Heading for a Storm, and Alibi. They landed a Billboard Top 40 hit with the ballad “Burning Heart” from their debut, followed by the lyrically alarming rocker “Wait.” Members: Adrian Vandenberg (guitar), Bert Heerink (vocals), Dick Kemper (bass), Jos Zoomer (drums), Peter Struyk […]
Axewitch was a Swedish hard-rock/metal band that debuted with a 1982 self-released EP, followed by the 1983–85 albums The Lord of Flies, Visions of the Past, and Hooked on High Heels on Finger Print and Neat. Members: Anders Wallentoft (vocals), Magnus Jarls (guitar), Mikael Johansson (guitar), Tommy Bradge (bass), Mats Johansson (drums), Klas Wollberg (guitar), […]
Helloween is a German heavy metal band that emerged with a self-titled EP and the 1985 album Walls of Jericho on Noise International, followed by the epic 1987/88 series Keeper of the Seven Keys Part I and Part II. They reappeared with the 1991 EMI release Pink Bubbles Go Ape, followed by fourteen albums through […]
The Michael Schenker Group was a German hard-rock/metal band that released four studio albums and two live collections between 1980 and 1984 on Chrysalis. Schenker had a five-album run with UFO and did on-off stints with his older brother Rudolf in Scorpions. MSG briefly housed Rainbow alumni Don Airey, Graham Bonnet, and Cozy Powell. Members: […]
Griffin was an American Bay Area metal band behind the 1984–86 albums Flight of the Griffin and Protectors of the Lair on the German Steamhammer label; Flight appeared stateside on Shrapnel Records. Members: William Rodrick McKay (vocals), Mike “Yaz” Jastremski (guitar), Rick Cooper (guitar), Thomas “Hawk” Mayberry (bass), Rick Wagner (drums) Background Griffin formed in […]
Exodus are an American metal band that emerged with the 1985 album Bonded by Blood on Torrid/Music for Nations, followed by the 1987–89 Combat albums Pleasures of the Flesh and Fabulous Disaster. They resurfaced on Capitol with the 1990–92 discs Impact Is Imminent and Force of Habit and returned with the mid-2000s titles Tempo of […]
White Lion was a Danish-American metal band behind the 1985 Grand Slamm album Fight to Survive, followed by the 1987–91 Atlantic titles Pride, Big Game, and Mane Attraction. Pride went double-Platinum on the Billboard strength of “Wait” and the ballad “When the Children Cry.” Members: Mike Tramp (vocals), Vito Bratta (guitar, 1983-91), Nicki Capozzi (drums, […]
Wild Dogs were an American metal band from Portland behind the 1983/84 albums Wild Dogs and Man’s Best Friend, followed by the 1987 Enigma release Reign of Terror. Members: Matt McCourt (vocals, bass), Mike Varney (guitar), Michael Brown (guitar), Pete Laufmann (drums), Michael Furlong (vocals), Jeff Mark (guitar), Danny Kurth (bass), Rick Bartell (bass), Deen […]
Whiplash was an American metal band that struck with the 1986 Roadracer release Power and Pain, followed by the 1987–89 titles Ticket to Mayhem and Insult to Injury. Members: Tony Portaro (guitar, vocals), Tony Scaglione (drums, 1983-87, 1996, 1998-99, 2010-11), Mike Orosz (vocals, 1984), Pat Burns (bass, 1984), Rob Harding (bass, 1984), Tony Bono (bass, 1985-93, 1998-99), Joe […]
Warlord was an American metal band behind the 1983 EP Deliver Us and the 1984 album And the Cannons of Destruction Have Begun…, both on Metal Blade. Members: Destroyer [William J. Tsamis] (guitar), Thunder Child [Mark Zonder] (drums), Joe Hall (bass, 1980-81), Jerry Alcevia (keyboards, 1981), Damien King I [Jack Rucker] (vocals, 1981-83), Rik Fox […]
Vyper was an American metal band behind the 1984 album Prepared to Strike, followed by the 1985 EP Afraid of the Dark, both on Greenworld Records. Members: Christy Black (vocals), Jacky Foxx (guitar), Robbie Saint (guitar), Rik Brock (bass), Michael Scott (drums) Background Vyper formed around 1983 in Kansas City, Missouri, with singer Nikki Van […]
Vicious Rumors was an American Bay Area metal band behind the 1985–88 albums Soldiers of the Night and Digital Dictator on Shrapnel/Roadrunner, followed by the 1990/91 Atlantic titles Vicious Rumors and Welcome to the Ball. Members: Geoff Thorpe (guitar), Mark Tate (vocals, 1980-82), Walt Perkins (drums, 1980-82), Jim Cassero (guitar, 1980-83), Jeff Barnacle (bass, 1980-85), […]
King’s X is an American hard-rock band that emerged with the 1988 album Out of the Silent Planet, followed with Gretchen Goes to Nebraska and four further titles on Atlantic. They reappeared on Metal Blade with the 1998 disc Tape Head and made six further albums through the 2022 Inside Out title Three Sides of […]
Icon was an American metal band behind the 1984/85 Capitol albums Icon and Night of the Crime, followed by A More Perfect Union and the 1989 Megaforce disc Right Between the Eyes. Members: Stephen Clifford (vocals), Dan Wexler (guitar), John Aquilino (guitar), Tracy Wallach (bass), Pat Dixon (drums), Kevin Stoller (keyboards), Jerry Harrison (vocals), Drew […]
Death Angel was an American Bay Area metal band that self-released the 1983–85 EPs Heavy Metal Insanity and Kill as One, followed by the 1987/88 Enigma albums The Ultra-Violence and Frolic Through the Park and the 1990 Geffen title Act III. Members: Rob Cavestany (lead guitar, vocals), Andy Galeon (drums, vocals, 1982-2009), Dennis Pepa (bass, […]
Annihilator was a Canadian metal band that self-released the 1985/86 demo-cassette EPs Welcome to Your Death and Phantasmagoria, followed by the 1989/90 Roadrunner albums Alice in Hell and Never, Neverland. Members: Jeff Waters (guitar, vocals, bass), Big John Bates (lead vocals, 1984-85), Dave Scott (bass, 1984-85), Paul Malek (drums, 1984-86), Ray Hartmann (drums, 1987-91, 1999-2001), […]
Agent Steel was an American metal band from Los Angeles that made the 1985–87 albums Skeptics Apocalypse and Unstoppable Force, plus the EP Mad Locust Rising, on Combat Records. Members: Juan García (guitar, 1984-87, 1998-present), Silvio Golfetti (guitar, 1984), Mark Marshall (guitar, 1984), Sill Simmons (guitar, 1984), John Gott (guitar, 1984), Kurt Colfelt (guitar, 1984-85), […]
Accept is a German hard-rock/metal band, active eight years before their 1979 debut on Brain Records, which issued their 1980–82 albums I’m a Rebel, Breaker, and Restless and Wild. Their 1983 release Balls to the Wall launched a seven-album RCA run, including the 1985/86 titles Metal Heart and Russian Roulette. Their 1982 single “Fast as […]
Tysondog was an English Tyneside hard-rock/metal band that debuted with the 1983 single “Eat the Rich” on the NWOBHM label Neat, followed by the 1984–86 albums Beware of the Dog and Crimes of Insanity and the 1985 Shoot to Kill EP. Guitarist-singer Alan Hunter preceded the band with a one-off single in punk-rockers State of Emergency. […]
Blind Fury was an English Tyneside hard-rock/metal band behind the 1985 Roadrunner album Out of Reach. They sprung from Satan, a NWOBHM band that made the 1983 album Court in the Act. Members: Lou Taylor (vocals), Steve Ramsey (guitar), Russ Tippins (guitar), Graeme English (bass), Sean Taylor (drums), Kevin Heybourne (guitar, 1983-84), Pete Gordelier (bass, 1983-84), […]
Blackmayne was an English hard-rock/metal band that released a 1985 self-titled album on the NWOBHM label Criminal Response. Members: Tim Cooke (vocals), Phil McDermott (guitar), Richard Matthews (guitar), Julian “Sack” Sackett (bass), Andy Terry (drums) Background Blackmayne formed in 1983 in Maidstone, Kent, when guitarist Phil McDermott teamed with bassist Julian “Sack” Sackett and drummer […]
More was an English hard-rock/metal band behind the 1981/82 Atlantic albums Warhead and Blood & Thunder. Members: Kenny Cox (guitar), Paul Mario Day (vocals, 1980-81), Laurie Mansworth (guitar, 1980-81), Frank Darch (drums, 1980-81), Brian Day (bass, 1980-82), Andy John Burton (drums, 1981-82), Mick Stratton (vocals, 1982), Barry Nichols (bass, 1982, 1985), Mel Jones (guitar, 1985), […]
Holocaust was a Scottish hard-rock/metal band that emerged with two 1980 maxi-singles, followed by the 1981 album The Nightcomers and 1982 EP Coming Through, all on the self-run Phoenix Record and Filmworks. They returned with the 1984 album No Mans Land, then went quiet until the 1989 release The Sound of Souls on Chrome Records. […]
Coroner was a Swiss heavy metal band that issued a 1986 cassette album on Rip Rec, followed by five albums on Noise International, including the 1987/88 titles R.I.P. and Punishment for Decadence. Members: Marquis Marky (drums, 1983-2014), Tommy Ritter (guitar, 1983-84), Phil Puzctai (bass, 1983-84), Pete Attinger (vocals, 1983-84), Oliver Amberg (guitar, vocals, 1984-85), Ron […]
Celtic Frost was a Swiss heavy metal band, formed in 1984 from the ashes of Hellhammer. On Noise International, they emerged with two EPs — Morbid Tales and Emperor’s Return — and the 1985 album To Mega Therion, followed with the Tragic Serenades EP and the 1987/88 albums Into the Pandemonium and Cold Lake. Members: […]
Sortilège was a French hard-rock/metal band that emerged with a 1983 EP on Rave-On, followed by the 1984–86 Steamhammer titles Métamorphose and Larmes de Héros. Members: Jean-Philippe “Bob Snake” Dumont (drums), Stéphane Dumont (guitar), Didier Demajean (guitar), Daniel Lapp (bass), Christian “Zouille” Augustin (vocals) Background Sortilège formed in 1981 in Épinay-sur-Seine, near Paris, when drummer […]
Jaguar was an English hard-rock/metal band that emerged with the 1981/82 sides “Chasing the Dragon” and “War Machine,” followed by the 1983/84 Roadrunner albums Power Games and This Time. Members: Garry Pepperd (guitar), Jeff Cox (bass, vocals, 1979-85), Chris Lovell (drums, 1979-84), Rob Reiss (vocals, 1980-82), Paul Merrell (vocals, 1982-85), Les Foster (drums, 1984, 1985), […]
ADX are a French speed-metal band that debuted with the 1985 Devil’s Records release Execution, followed by the 1986–88 Sydney discs Chapitre II – La Terreur, Suprématie, and Exécution Publique. After their 1990 Noise International release Weird Visions, the band broke for eight years but reconvened at the turn of the millennium. Members: Phil Grelaud […]
Loudness was a Japanese hard-rock/metal band with guitarist Akira Takasaki. They debuted with the 1981 Blow Up album The Birthday Eve, followed by the 1982/83 B&M titles Devil Soldier and The Law of Devil’s Land. Through 1985, they released four Columbia albums and reached US MTV with their Thunder in the East single “Crazy Nights,” […]
Bow Wow was a Japanese hard-rock/metal band behind a 1976 album on Victor Musical Industries, followed by the 1977/78 Invitation titles Signal Fire, Charge, Guarantee, and Super Live. They reemerged with the 1980/81 SMS albums Glorious Road and Hard Dog, then closed out their first run with the 1982/83 albums Asian Volcano, Warning From Stardust, […]
Gordi was a Yugoslav hard-rock/metal band from Beograd, Serbia, formed by veteran Dah guitarist Zlatko Manojlović. They emerged with the 1978 album Čovek, followed by two numerical titles on RTB and two further albums in 1981/82 on Jugoton. Members: Zlatko Manojlović (vocals, guitar), Dragan Janković (bass, 1977-78), Zdenko Pomper (bass, 1979-80), Slobodan Svrdlan (bass, 1981-84), […]
Torch was a Swedish metal band that released two shortplayers and the 1983/84 albums Torch and Electrikiss on Tandan/Sword. Members: Dan Dark (vocals), Tomi Peltonen (guitar), Alex Jonsson (bass), Kristian Huotari (drums), Chris J. First (guitar), Claus Wildt (guitar), Ian Greg (bass), Steve Streaker (drums) Background Torch formed in 1980 in Eskilstuna when drummer Steve […]
Proud was a Swedish heavy metal band behind the 1984 EMI album Fire Breaks the Dawn. Members: Anders Magnell (vocals), Peter Horvath (guitar), Magnus Olson (guitar), Bobby Horvath (bass), Anders Holmqvist (drums) Background Proud formed in 1980 in Landskrona as Savages, a rock combo with bassist Robert “Bobby” Horvath, drummer Anders Holmqvist, and guitarist Peter […]
Grim Reaper was an English hard-rock/metal band that circulated the demo cassette Bleed ’Em Dry and emerged on RCA with the 1983–87 albums See You in Hell, Fear No Evil, and Rock You to Hell. Members: Nick Bowcott (guitar, 1979-88), Paul DeMercado (vocals, 1979-82), Kevin Neale (bass, 1979-81), Phil Matthews (bass, 1981), Dave Wanklin (bass, […]
Witchfynde was an English hard-rock/metal band, active six years on the midlands circuit before their 1980 albums Give ‘Em Hell and Stagefright, both on Rondelet Music. They reappeared with the 1983 Expulsion album Cloak & Dagger, followed by the 1984 Mausoleum release Lords of Sin. Members: Trevor Taylor [aka Montalo] (guitar), Gra Scoresby (drums), Neil […]
Wildfire was an English hard-rock band behind the 1983/84 albums Brute Force and Ignorance and Summer Lightning, plus the standalone “Jerusalem,” on the Belgian metal label Mausoleum Records. Members: Paul Mario Day (vocals), Jeff Summers (guitars), Martin Bushell (guitar), Jeff Brown (bass), Bruce Bisland (drums) Background Wildfire formed in 1982 in London when singer Paul […]
White Spirit was an English hard-rock/metal band behind a 1980 self-titled album on MCA. Guitarist Janick Gers joined Gillan and later tenured with Iron Maiden. Members: Bruce Ruff (vocals), Janick Gers (guitar), Phil Brady (bass), Graeme Crallan (drums), Malcolm Pearson (keyboards), Mick Tucker (guitar) Background White Spirit formed in the summer of 1975 in Hartlepool, […]
Exciter was a Canadian hard-rock/metal trio behind the 1983 album Heavy Metal Maniac on Shrapnel Records, followed by the 1984 Megaforce release Violence & Force. They reappeared on Combat with the 1985/86 albums Long Live the Loud and Unveiling the Wicked, succeeded by a self-titled 1988 release on Maze Music. Six further albums appeared across […]
White Wolf was a Canadian hard-rock/metal band behind the 1984–86 RCA albums Standing Alone and Endangered Species. Members: Don Wolf [aka Don Wilk] (vocals), Cam Macleod (guitar, vocals), Rick Nelson (guitar), Martin Kronlund (guitar), Scott Webb (guitar, vocals), David J. Petovar (keyboards), Les Schwartz (bass), Richard Quist (bass, keyboards), Russ Bergquist (bass), Loris Bolzun (drums), […]
Witch Cross was a Danish metal band that self-released the 1983 sides “Are You There” and “No Angel,” followed by the 1984 Roadrunner album Fit for Fight. Members: Alex Nyborg Madsen [aka Savage] (vocals), Mike “Wlad” Kock (guitar, vocals), Cloe Hamilton (bass), Jan “Little John Field” Normark (bass), Anders “A.C.” Hjort (drums) Background Witch Cross […]
Palass was a Belgian hard-rock/metal band that cut two singles circa 1980/81 on Robert Derycke Productions, culminating with the 1981 Imavox album Private Property. They returned in 1989 with the Powerhouse release Queen of the World. Members: Daniel Duvieuart (vocals), Bernard Cambier (piano, strings, synthesizer), Jean-Claude Manderlier (lead guitar), Thierry Servais (rhythm guitar), William Duncker […]
Tröjan was an English hard-rock/metal band behind the 1985 album Chasing the Storm on Roadrunner. Vocalist Graeme Wyatt and guitarist Pete Wadeson regrouped with a different rhythm section as Taliön for the 1989 album Killing the World. Members: Graeme Wyatt (vocals), Pete Wadeson (guitar, vocals), Eddy Martin (bass), Johnny Lee Jackson (drums), Phil Gavin (bass), […]
Tokyo Blade are an English hard-rock/metal band behind the 1983/84 albums Tokyo Blade and Night of the Blade, plus the EPs Midnight Rendezvous and Madame Guillotine, all on Powerstation Records. After their self-released 1985 album Blackhearts & Jaded Spades, they reconfigured with the 1987 Scratch release Ain’t Misbehavin’ (as Andy Boulton’s Tokyo Blade) and the […]
Anvil was a Canadian hard-rock/metal band behind the 1982–83 Attic/Polydor albums Hard ‘n’ Heavy, Metal on Metal, and Forged in Fire, followed by the 1987/88 Metal Blade/Enigma titles Strength of Steel and Pound for Pound. Members: Steve “Lips” Kudlow (guitar, vocals), Robb Reiner (drums), Dave Allison (guitar, 1981-89), Ian Dickson (bass, 1981-93), Sebastian Marino (guitar, […]
Dagger was a Québécois hard-rock/metal band behind the 1985 album Not Afraid of the Night on Viper Records. Members: Danny Clout (bass), Frank Ross (guitar, vocal), Gil Heynemann (drums), Syd Brophy (guitar) Background Dagger formed in 1982 in Montreal as Hell’s Dagger when singer–guitarist Frank Ross teamed with bassist Danny Clout, drummer Gil Heynemann, and […]
Messiah Force was a Québécois hard-rock/metal band behind the 1987 album The Last Day on self-press Haissem. Members: Lynn Renaud (vocals), Bastien Deschênes (guitar), Jean Tremblay (guitar), Eric Parise (bass), Jean-Francois Boucher (drums) Background Messiah Force formed in May 1984 in Jonquière, Quebec, when singer Lynn Renaud and guitarist Bastien Deschênes of Exode teamed with […]
Voïvod are a Québécois thrash-metal band that spread several cassette-only demos during the early 1980s, culminating with the 1984 album War and Pain on Metal Blade Records. On Noise International, they unleashed the 1986–89 albums Rrröööaaarrr, Killing Technology, Dimension Hatröss, and Nothingface. Members: Away [Michel Langevin] (drums), Piggy [Denis D’Amour] (guitar, 1982-2005), Blacky [Jean-Yves Thériault] […]
Tobruk was an English hard-rock band behind the 1985 Parlophone album Wild on the Run, followed by the 1987 FM Revolver release Pleasure and Pain. Members: Snake [Stuart Neale] (vocals), Nigel Evans (guitar, vocals), Mick Newman (guitar), Jem Davis (keyboards), Steve Woodward (bass, 1981-83), Alan Vallance (drums, 1981-83), Mike Brown (bass, guitar, vocals, 1983-?), Eddie […]
Tank was an English hard-rock/metal band behind the 1982 Kamaflage albums Filth Hounds of Hades and Power of the Hunter, followed by the 1983/84 Music for Nations titles This Means War and Honour & Blood. They included ex-Damned bassist Algy Ward and White Spirit guitarist Mick Tucker. Members: Algy Ward (bass, vocals), Cliff Evans (guitar), […]
U8 was an Austrian hard-rock/metal band behind the 1982 album Pegasus 1001 on Powerplay Music, followed by the 1984 EMI release The Shaber. Members: Günter “Schwammerl” Maier (guitar, vocals), Erich “Lemmy” Enzinger (vocals, 1982-88), Andreas Rescheneder (bass, 1987-88), Helmar Hill (keyboards, 1987-88), Manfred Krenn (drums, 1987-88) Background U8 formed in 1980 in Salzburg when guitarist […]
Savage was an English hard-rock/metal band behind the 1983 album Loose ‘n Lethal on Ebony Records, followed in 1985 by Hyperactive on Zebra/Axe Killer. Across the ensuing three decades, Savage unleashed five further titles on Neat Metal and Minuszzebra. Members: Chris Bradley (vocals, bass), Andy Dawson (guitar, vocals), Simon Dawson (drums, 1978-79), Andy Bradbury (guitar, […]
V8 was an Argentine metal band that released three albums between 1983 and 1986 on Umbral, starting with Luchando por el Metal. Members: Ricardo Iorio (bass, vocals), Ricardo “Chofa” Moreno (guitar, 1980-82), Gerardo Osemberg (drums, 1980-81), Alejandro “Pesadilla” Colantonio (drums, 1981-82), Alberto “Beto” Zamarbide (vocals, 1982-87), Osvaldo Civile (guitar, 1982-85), Gustavo Rowek (drums, 1982-87), Miguel […]
Viper are a Brazilian speed-metal band behind the 1987 album Soldiers of Sunrise on Rock Brigade Records, followed by the 1989 Eldorado release Theatre of Fate. Members: Pit Passarell (bass, vocals), Felipe Machado (guitar), Yves Passarell (guitar, 1985-2000), Cassio Audi (drums, 1985-1989), Andre Matos (vocals, 1985-91), Sérgio Facci (drums, 1989), Guilherme Martin (drums, 1989), Renato […]
Chateaux was an English metal band that emerged with the 1982 sides “Young Blood” and “Fight to the Last,” followed by the 1983–85 Ebony albums Chained and Desperate, FirePower, and Highly Strung. Members: Tim Broughton (guitar), Alex Houston (bass, 1981-83), Andre Baylis (drums, 1981-83), Steve Grimmett (vocals, 1983), Krys Mason (bass, vocals, 1983-86), Chris Dadson […]
Crossfire was a Belgian hard-rock/metal band behind the 1983–86 albums See You in Hell, Second Attack, and Sharpshooter on Mausoleum Records, followed by the 1987 Live Attack on Metal Enterprises. Members: Peter DeWint (vocals), Marc VanCaelenberge (guitar), Jacky D’Hondt (guitar), Patrick Van Londerzele (bass), Chris DeBrauwer (drums), Rudy Van de Sjipe (guitar, 1982-86), Nero Neerinckx […]
Bronz was an English hard-rock band behind the 1983 album Taken by Storm on Bronze Records. Singer Max Bacon surfaced in the Howe–Hackett supergroup GTR. Members: Simon Thomas (bass), Windsor McGilvray (drums), Chris Goulstone (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Paul Webb (bass, vocals), Max Bacon (vocals), Shaun Kirkpatrick (guitar, vocals), John Kirkpatrick (bass, vocals), Steve Hopgood (drums), […]
Blitzkrieg was an English metal band that first emerged with the 1981 NWOBHM single “Buried Alive.” Singer Brian Ross resurrected Blitzkrieg for the 1985 album A Time of Changes on Neat Records. Members: Brian Ross (vocals), Jim Sirotto (guitar, 1980-81, 1984-86), Ian Jones (guitar, 1980-81), Steve English (bass, 1980-81), Steve Abbey (drums, 1980-81), Mick Moore […]
Praying Mantis was an English hard-rock/metal band behind the 1981 Arista album Time Tells No Lies, followed by a 1982 maxi-single single on Jet. Their original run spanned 1978–83 as an evolution of Junction, the earlier act of brothers Chris and Tino Troy. In 1990, the pair reactivated Praying Mantis for a second run of […]
Heavy Pettin was a Scottish hard-rock/metal band behind the 1983–85 Polydor albums Lettin Loose and Rock Ain’t Dead, followed by the 1989 FM Revolver release Big Bang. Members: Punky Mendoza (guitar), Gordon Bonnar (guitar), Gary Moat (drums), Steve “Hamie” Hayman (vocals), Brian Waugh (bass) Background Heavy Pettin formed in June 1981 in Glasgow when singer […]
Avenger was an English Tyneside metal band behind the 1983 single “Too Wild to Tame” and the 1984/85 albums Blood Sports and Killer Elite on the NWOBHM label Neat. Members: Brian Ross (vocals, 1982-83), Ian Swift (vocals, 1983-86), Steve Bird (guitar, 1982-83), John Brownless (guitar, 1983-84), Les Cheetham (guitar, 1984-85), Greg Reiter (guitar, 1985-86) Background […]
Barón Rojo was a Spanish hard-rock/metal band that debuted with the 1981 Chapa album Larga vida al rock and roll, followed by six studio albums and two live discs through 1989 on Kamaflage and Zafiro. Members: Carlos de Castro (vocals, guitar), Armando de Castro (guitar, vocals), Hermes Calabria (drums, percussion, 1980-89, 2009-11), José Luis Campuzano [aka […]
H-Bomb was a French hard-rock/metal band behind the 1983 Coup de Métal EP, followed by the 1984 Race-On release Attaque and the 1985 Axe Killer single “To Feel Is Pain.” Members: Philippe “Philty” Garcia (bass), Gerhard “Metal” Michel (drums), Armando “Mando” Ferreira (guitars), Christian “Kriss” Martin (guitar, 1982-84), Didier “Dizzy” Izard (vocals 1982-85), Paul Fereirra […]
