What Are Your Top Ten NWOBHM Albums?

First Post July 25, 2021 05:40 PM

I have been reconnecting with my heavy metal roots recently as it has been a genre I have sadly neglected as I delve further and further into extreme metal. But I have discovered a new-found affinity with bands I have turned away from in recent years. I was fortunate enough to be a young metalhead during the rise (and fall) of the NWOBHM and managed to see a decent number of it's bands live, when they weren't much older than myself! Here is my list of my Top Ten albums from that scene. What are yours? (I would like to put a hard stop of 1984 on entries as by then the scene was finished to all intents and purposes).

1. Iron Maiden - Killers (1981)
2. Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations (1980)
3. Witchfinder General - Death Penalty (1982)
4. Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind (1983)
5. Angel Witch - Angel Witch (1980)
6. Satan - Court in the Act (1983)
7. Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden (1980)
8. Witchfynde - Give 'Em Hell (1980)
9. Saxon - Wheels of Steel (1980)
10. Venom - Welcome to Hell (1981)

July 25, 2021 07:26 PM

I did my list some time ago & it can be found here:

https://metal.academy/lists/single/9


01. Iron Maiden - "The Number Of The Beast" (1982)

02. Iron Maiden - "Piece Of Mind" (1983)

03. Iron Maiden - "Maiden Japan" E.P. (1981)

04. More - "Blood & Thunder" (1982)

05. Saxon - "Power & The Glory" (1983)

06. Diamond Head - "Lightning To The Nations" (1980)

07. Saxon - "The Eagle Has Landed: Live" (1982)

08. Saxon - "Strong Arm Of The Law" (1980)

09. Def Leppard - "High 'n' Dry" (1981)

10. Grim Reaper - "See You In Hell" (1983)


Ben & I did a ton of research on the NWOBHM while recording our podcast several years ago now. We found that the movement really ran from 1979-1983 & ended with the rise of glam metal & MTV in the USA as well as the kick-off of the US power metal movement.

July 26, 2021 12:12 AM
I prefer the US power metal movement rather than the old-school NWOBHM or defective glam metal, thank you very much.