Overview
Objectives
- Recall the new developments in heavy metal music that occurred in the mid-1970s in the music of bands such as Motörhead
- Identify several significant American and British heavy metal bands from the early 1980s
- Recall the major subgenres of heavy metal, including hair metal and thrash metal, and discuss the stylistic characteristics of each
The Second Generation of British Heavy Metal continued
Iron Maiden was another British heavy metal band that used dual lead guitars, and they were formed in 1975. The band’s name came from that of a medieval torture device, and they focused on images of death and mayhem in their music. Iron Maiden’s lyrics focused both on mythical and medieval tales of torture as well as more recent issues, such as colonialism, the wars of the twentieth century, and the potential destruction that nuclear war could bring.
Their first album that sold well in the United States was The Number of the Beast (1982), which included the single "Run to the Hills ♫," a tale told from the perspective of Native Americans who were viciously attacked by European settlers. The Number of the Beast also included music based on passages from the biblical book of Revelation and its depiction of the anti-Christ. Although Iron Maiden’s music emphasized fear of the anti-Christ, some listeners and critics mistakenly believed that the group was promoting satanic worship or other dangerous rituals.
Def Leppard, like Judas Priest and Iron Maiden, featured two lead guitars. They signed their first record contract in 1979 and began touring with older groups. In general, Def Leppard’s music was about themes such as relationships, partying, and having a good time instead of the themes of death, demons, and destruction present in the music of many other heavy metal groups of the time. Additionally, Def Leppard used riffs in the introductions of their songs but rarely included riffs throughout the song, which was another departure from the music of other heavy metal groups. The video for Def Leppard’s single "Bringin’ On the Heartbreak ♫" (1981) was one of the first heavy metal music videos played on MTV. Soon after the release of their third album, Pyromania (1983), drummer Rick Allen was involved in a car accident and lost his left arm. Both he and the other members of Def Leppard were determined to keep him as the drummer, so he devised an elaborate system of foot pedals and electronic drums to allow him to keep playing. Def Leppard’s first album released after Allen’s accident was 1987’s Hysteria, and it was also one of their most successful. They released seven singles from Hysteria, including "Love Bites ♫" and "Pour Some Sugar on Me ♫."
“People can talk about punk all they want, but after new wave put that down, metal is the voice of the disenfranchised and that need to become unhinged.”
“The music is timeless. Metal and hair metal have so many hooks, like really great popular music through the years. People have so many memories associated with each album and song. Like any great music genre, it stands the test of time.”
"Aerosmith appear in the movie Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band as the FVB (Future Villain Band). It is considered one of the worst movies ever, but they got to kill the Bee Gees."
