New Wave Of British Heavy Metal

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (frequently abbreviated as NWOBHM or N.W.O.B.H.M.) emerged in the late 1970s and reached mainstream attention in the early 1980s, in the United Kingdom, as a reaction in part to the decline of early heavy metal bands such as  Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple and Black Sabbath. The NWOBHM toned down the blues influences of earlier acts, upped the tempo, and adopted a tougher sound, taking a more hardcore approach to its music. It didn't have any intention to win a wide audience — it was directed almost exclusively at metal fans. It is widely considered to be the main foundation of all modern-day metal along with thrash acts such as Metallica, which cited bands like Diamond Head as influence.
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