New wave of traditional heavy metal

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The new wave of traditional heavy metal (N.W.O.T.H.M.) is a musical movement that started in the mid-2000s as a revival of classic metal sound from the 1970s and 1980s. [1] The term is used to describe bands that make heavy use of the elements and style of that era of metal music.

Contents

Origin

The N.W.O.T.H.M. initially started in the mid-2000s with a number of bands, such as Cauldron, Skull Fist, and Enforcer, who began to write and record music that reflected the style and sound of classic heavy metal. These bands combined elements of the metal genres from the '70s and '80s, especially those of the N.W.O.B.H.M., although some bands are also influenced from genres such as speed metal, power metal and hard rock. [1] The movement's revival of this style helped to redefine the term "heavy metal", drawing its meaning back to the origins of the genre and its original sound after years of heavy influence from other genres and evolution of the style away from its roots.

While the overall movement's focus was placed on replicating both the sound and success of traditional heavy metal, many of the early N.W.O.T.H.M bands also incorporated noticeable influence from more melodic mainstream rock and alternative genres. However, by the mid-2010s, the movement took a shift in its creative direction, growing into a substantial underground scene with a less commercial, more gritty sound. [2] While the movement has not achieved the same commercial success as the genres it seeks to revive, it continues to grow and thrive. Notable N.W.O.T.H.M bands such as Haunt, White Wizzard, and Night Demon have found success in this niche.

Characteristics

Identity and style

The N.W.O.T.H.M. takes on a lot of the culture surrounding traditional metal music, as it does with its sound. [1] Attire and appearance typically associated with heavy metal music, such as long hair, leather jackets/vests, and tattoos, are present in the N.W.O.T.H.M. movement. [3] Gestures, movements, and behaviors such as headbanging [4] are also common at concerts and live performances.

Some NWOTHM bands even have their own mascot. For example, Seax has Sid Psycho. [5]

Lyrical themes

The lyrical themes found in the music of N.W.O.T.H.M. bands can vary greatly, but often include themes of fantasy, war, the supernatural, and the occult. These elements take on dark and sometimes aggressive undertones, [6] and are not typically lighthearted in nature; [3] the music often puts emphasis on lyrics that deal with "dark and depressing subject matter to an extent hitherto unprecedented". [7]

Musical elements

In line with its identity as a revival of traditional metal, the N.W.O.T.H.M. combines and incorporates elements of speed metal, power metal, and the N.W.O.B.H.M. It makes use of distorted guitars [8] with music largely built around melodies and guitar riffs. Power chords see heavy use, and songs usually have instrumental bridges and guitar solos. Drumming is typically loud and dense, with fast and steady beats. [9] The vocals are essential to the heavy metal sound; in the case of the N.W.O.T.H.M., vocals are almost exclusively clean, and like in most traditional heavy metal, are loud, intense and powerful. Open display of emotion through the tone of the vocals is considered to be an essential piece of the musical quality, sometimes said to be more important to the music than the lyrics themselves. [3]

Bands

This is a list of NWOTHM bands.

Related Research Articles

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Speed metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) roots. It is described by AllMusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Power metal</span> Subgenre of heavy metal

Power metal is a subgenre of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional heavy metal with speed metal, often within a symphonic context. Generally, power metal is characterized by a faster, lighter, and more uplifting sound, in contrast with the heaviness and dissonance prevalent in, for example, extreme metal. Power metal bands usually have anthem-like songs with fantasy-based subject matter and strong choruses, thus creating a theatrical, dramatic and emotionally "powerful" sound.

The new wave of British heavy metal was a nationwide musical movement that started in England in the mid-1970s and achieved international attention by the early 1980s. Editor Alan Lewis coined the term for an article by Geoff Barton in a May 1979 issue of the British music newspaper Sounds to describe the emergence of new heavy metal bands in the mid to late 1970s, during the period of punk rock's decline and the dominance of new wave music.

Alternative metal is a genre of heavy metal music that combines heavy metal with influences from alternative rock and other genres not normally associated with metal. Alternative metal bands are often characterized by heavily downtuned, mid-paced guitar riffs, a mixture of accessible melodic vocals and harsh vocals and sometimes unconventional sounds within other heavy metal styles. The term has been in use since the 1980s, although it came into prominence in the 1990s.

A number of heavy metal genres have developed since the emergence of heavy metal during the late 1960s and early 1970s. At times, heavy metal genres may overlap or are difficult to distinguish, but they can be identified by a number of traits. They may differ in terms of instrumentation, tempo, song structure, vocal style, lyrics, guitar playing style, drumming style, and so on.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy metal fashion</span> Performer and fan worn attire as representing heavy metal music

Heavy metal fashion is the style of dress, body modification, make-up, hairstyle, and so on, taken on by fans of heavy metal, or, as they are often called, metalheads or headbangers. While the style has changed from the 1970s to the 2020s, certain key elements have remained constant, such as black clothes, long hair and leather jackets. In the 1980s, some bands began wearing spandex. Other attire includes denim or leather vests or jackets with band patches and logos, t-shirts with band names, and spiked wristbands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel Witch</span> English heavy metal band

Angel Witch are a British heavy metal band which formed in London in 1976. Despite never achieving major success, they are known for being integral part of the early 1980s new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement, and have been acknowledged as an influence by many bands of the then-emerging thrash, speed, doom and extreme metal genres. Angel Witch have released five studio albums to date, and have undergone numerous lineup changes throughout its 48-year career, leaving frontman and lead guitarist Kevin Heybourne as the only constant member.

Blackened death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal that fuses elements of black metal and death metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Headbanging</span> Violent and choreographic shaking of ones head to music

Headbanging is the act of violently shaking one's head in rhythm with music. It is common in rock, punk, heavy metal music and dubstep, where headbanging is often used by musicians on stage. Headbanging is also common in traditional Islamic Sufi music traditions such as Qawwali in the Indian subcontinent and Iran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cauldron (band)</span> Canadian heavy metal band

Cauldron is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2006 in Toronto following the breakup of Goat Horn, with guitarist Brandon Wars leaving to form a new band, Zuku. Cauldron consists of Jason Decay on vocals and bass guitar, Ian Chains on guitar and Myles Deck on drums.

Australian thrash metal is a regional scene of thrash metal music that originated during the late 1980s.

<i>Sound of the Beast</i> 2003 book by Ian Christe

Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal is a 2003 book by Ian Christe, documenting the history of heavy metal music and its origins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Enforcer (band)</span> Swedish heavy metal band

Enforcer is a Swedish heavy metal band formed in 2004 in Arvika.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White Wizzard</span> American heavy metal band

White Wizzard is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, formed in 2007. They have released one EP and four albums: Over the Top released in 2010, Flying Tigers released in 2011, The Devil's Cut released in 2013, and Infernal Overdrive released 2018. Throughout the band's history, it has undergone numerous lineup changes, with only Jon Leon remaining a stable member of the band. The end of the band was announced by Jon Leon in April 2018, however, he announced that he was reassembling the band in March 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Skull Fist</span> Canadian heavy metal band

Skull Fist is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in Toronto.

Sons of Lioth are a Belgian heavy metal band from Herenthout.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heavy metal subculture</span> Culture of heavy metal fans

Fans of heavy metal music, commonly referred to as "Metalheads", have created their own subculture that encompasses more than just appreciation of the style of music. Fans affirm their membership in the subculture or scene by attending metal concerts, buying albums, growing their hair long, wearing jackets or vests often made of denim and leather adorned with band patches and often studs, and by contributing to metal publications since the early 1980s.

Redshark is a Spanish heavy metal band, founded in 2012 in Barcelona. The band is often referred to as the NWOTHM movement.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "A Beginners Guide to The New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal". The Great Northern Blogkill. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  2. ↑ Cram, Preston (2021-03-25). "What Is NWOTHM? 12 Must-Hear Bands from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal". Preston Cram. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  3. 1 2 3 Weinstein, Deena (2000). Heavy Metal: The Music And Its Culture, Revised Edition. Da Capo Press. pp. 294, 35, 26. ISBN   978-0-306-80970-5.
  4. ↑ "headbang definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta". 2010-04-23. Archived from the original on 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  5. ↑ "SEAX – Carmine Blades: Metal-Rules.com". Metal-Rules. January 11, 2017. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
  6. ↑ Cope, Andrew L. (2010). Black Sabbath and the Rise of Heavy Metal Music. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. p. 139.
  7. ↑ Hatch and Millward (1989), p. 167
  8. ↑ Walser, Robert (1993). Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. Wesleyan University Press. p. 10. ISBN   0-8195-6260-2.
  9. ↑ "Lamb of God's Chris Adler: More Than Meets The Eye". Modern Drummer Magazine. 2006-08-17. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
  10. ↑ "Black Moor". nolifetilmetal.com. No Life Til Metal. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
  11. ↑ "CRYSTAL VIPER - New Album!". KronosMortusNews . 2020-09-03. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  12. ↑ "20 Canadian New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal Bands". Metal Sucks . 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  13. 1 2 3 "The New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal: Pt.1". Metal Hall of Fame. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  14. ↑ "ALBUM REVIEW: Haunt – Flashback". Nattskog Wordpress . 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  15. 1 2 3 "Tailgunner and the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal". Sun 13 . 2022-09-15. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
  16. ↑ "NWOTHM act REDSHARK joins Iron Oxide Records, "Evil Realm" Out in June!". KronosMortusNews . 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
  17. ↑ "Skull Fist: 'Paid In Full"". Sleazy Roxx . 2022-11-05. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
  18. ↑ Cram, Preston (2021-03-25). "What Is NWOTHM? 12 Must-Hear Bands from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal". Preston Cram. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
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