Judas Priest are an English metal band from Birmingham. Between 1974 and 1990, they released twelve studio albums and scored rock radio hits with “Breaking the Law,” “Living After Midnight,” “Heading Out to the Highway,” and “You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’.” They spearheaded metal’s evolution from its blues-rock roots to the tightened Eighties approach embodied […]
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band that has been active since the late 1970s. In the early 1980s, the band were at the center of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) movement, which popularized the music among younger hoards of concert goers and record buyers. During its 1980–88 heyday, the band […]
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 […]
UFO was an English hard-rock band from Enfield, Middlesex, that released two albums on Beacon in 1970 and 1971, followed by a live album on Decca. Between 1974 and 1985, the band released ten studio albums and a live double-LP on Chrysalis. The early lineup featured vocalist Phil Mogg, guitarist Mick Bolton, bassist Pete Way, […]
Def Leppard are an English heavy metal band, best known for the Eighties FM/video staples “Bringin’ On the Heartbreak,” “Photograph,” “Rock of Ages,” and “Love Bites.” Between 1980 and 1992, they released five albums and went multi-Platinum with their 1983 third, Pyromania. Members: Joe Elliott (vocals), Rick Savage (bass), Pete Willis (guitar, 1977-82), Tony Kenning […]
Gillan was an English hard-rock/metal band that released a self-titled album in Japan and Australasia on Eastworld/Interfusion in 1978, followed by the more widely released Mr. Universe, which appeared in the U.K. on Acrobat Records in 1979. Between 1980 and 1982, Gillan released three albums and a half-studio/half-live double-LP on Virgin. The band was formed […]
Tygers of Pan Tang were an English heavy metal band central to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. They released four albums on MCA between 1980 and 1982—Wild Cat, Spellbound, Crazy Nights, and The Cage—highlighted by the twin-guitar interplay of Robb Weir and John Sykes, and signature tracks like “Hellbound,” “Gangland,” “Blackjack,” and “Running […]
Saxon are an English hard-rock/metal band that released six albums and a live disc between 1979 and 1984 on Carrere. As front-liners in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they went Gold with their 1980/81 albums Wheels of Steel, Strong Arm of the Law, and Denim and Leather, scoring UK hits with “747 (Strangers […]
Samson was an English heavy metal band, formed in 1977 by namesake guitarist Paul Samson. They cut two 1978 singles on small-press Lightning Records, followed by the 1979 album Survivors on Laser. Drummer Thunderstick (aka Barry Graham Purkis) functioned as the band’s leather-masked mascot in photos and live shows, where he performed inside a metal […]
Demon was an English hard-rock/metal band that released the 1981 Carrere album Night of the Demon and charted with their 1982 second, The Unexpected Guest. They followed with the epic 1983 release The Plague, their first of four Clay Records albums, followed by the 1989 Sonic title Taking the World by Storm. Members: Dave Hill […]
Ethel the Frog was an English heavy metal band that released a 1980 self-titled album on EMI. Members: Doug Sheppard (vocals, guitar), Paul Tognola (guitar), Terry Hopkinson (bass, vocals), Paul Conyers (drums) Background Ethel the Frog formed in 1976 in Kingston upon Hull, where singer–guitarist Doug Sheppard and guitarist Paul Tognola teamed with bassist Terry […]
Shiva was an English hard-rock band that released the 1982 album Firedance on Heavy Metal Records. They recorded songs for a second album that ultimately surfaced on a 2004 CD by archivists Majestic Rock. Members: John Hall (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Andy Skuse (bass, vocals, keyboards), Chris D’Avoigne (guitar, vocals, 1979-80), Simon “Jack” Carver (drums, percussion, […]
Legend was an English heavy metal band from Jersey island that released the 1981–82 albums Legend and Death in the Nursery and the EP Frontline on local-press Workshop. Members: Mike Lezala (vocals), Peter Haworth (guitar), Marco Morosino (guitar, 1980-82), Eggy Aubert (bass, 1980-82, 2003-present), David Whitley (drums, 1980-84), Neil Haworth (bass, guitar 1982-84, 2011-present) Formation […]
Saracen was an English hard-rock/metal band that made the 1981 Nucleus album Heroes, Saints & Fools, followed by the 1984 Roadrunner release Change of Heart. Members: Rob Bendelow (guitar), Danny Spencer (drums), Barry Yates (bass, 1976-82), Titch (drums, 1976), Richard Lowe (keyboards, vocals, 1976-2003), Steve Bettney (vocals, 1980-present), John Thorne (drums, 1980-83), Haydn Conway (guitar, […]
Gaskin was an English hard-rock/metal band that released the 1981/82 Rondelet albums End of the World and No Way Out. Members: Paul Gaskin (guitar, vocals, keyboards), Andy Soloman (guitar), Tony Ilkiw (bass), Dave Pick (drums), Dave Norman (drums), Bren Spencer (vocals), Mike Clark (vocals), Stef Prokopczuk (bass), Mark McKenzie (bass), Dave Gugelot (bass) Background Gaskin […]
Quartz was an English hard-rock/metal band from Birmingham that released a self-titled album on Jet Records in 1977, followed by Stand Up and Fight on MCA in 1980. The band’s intended third album, recorded circa 1981/82, was ultimately released more than three decades later as Too Hot to Handle. In 1983, the band released Against […]
Limelight was an English NWOBHM trio that released a 1980 self-titled album on Future Earth, followed by the 1982 single “Ashes to Ashes.” Members: Mike Scrimshaw (vocals, guitar, bass), Glenn Scrimshaw (guitar), Ian Beestin (drums), Clive Jackson (keyboards), John Dakin (bass), Trevor Wilson (bass), Jimmy Stephenson (drums), Pat Coleman (drums), John Brierly (vocals) Background Limelight […]
Girlschool is an English rock band that gained prominence as part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. On Bronze Records (Uriah Heep‘s label), Girlschool charted with the 1980–82 albums Demolition, Hit and Run, and Screaming Blue Murder. They collaborated with Motörhead on the 1981 EP St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, a UK Top 5 […]
Angel Witch was an English heavy metal band tied to London’s NWOBHM movement. They released a self-titled 1980 album and the single “Loser” on Bronze Records. After stints in Deep Machine and Blind Fury, guitarist Kevin Heybourne resurrected Angel Witch for the 1985–86 Killerwatt albums Screamin’ n’ Bleedin’ and Frontal Assault. Members: Kevin Heybourne (vocals, […]
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. […]
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), […]
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, […]
Girl was an English pop-metal band from London that released the 1980–82 albums Sheer Greed and Wasted Youth on Jet Records. Guitarist Phil Collen joined Def Leppard in time for Pyromania. Members: Phil Lewis (vocals), Gerry Laffy (guitar), Phil Collen (guitar, 1979-82), Dave Gaynor (drums, 1979-81), Mark Megaray (bass, 1979), Simon Laffy (bass, 1979-82), Pete […]
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, […]
Diamond Head was an English heavy metal band that released the 1980 album Lightning to the Nations on Happy Face Records, followed by the 1982–83 MCA albums Borrowed Time and Canterbury. Members: Brian Tatler (lead guitar, vocals), Sean Harris (lead vocals, guitar, 1976-85, 1990-94, 2000-04), Duncan Scott (drums, 1976-83), Dave Williamson (bass, 1976-77), Colin Kimberley […]
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 […]
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), […]
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, […]
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 […]
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), […]
Raven are an English metal band that released three albums and a live disc between 1981 and 1984 on the NWOBHM-specialty label Neat Records. Members: John Gallagher (vocals, bass), Mark Gallagher (guitar), Paul Bowden (guitar, 1975-79), Paul Sherrif (drums, 1975-76), Mick Kenworthy (drums, 1976-77), Sean Taylor (drums, 1977-79), Pete Shore (guitar, 1979-80), Rob “Wacko” Hunter […]
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 […]
