Classic metal is a genre of heavy metal music which is characterized by thumping fast basslines, fast, but less heavy riffs, extended lead guitar solos, high pitched vocals and anthemic choruses. Its peak period was the early to mid 1980s. Artists include Iron Maiden, Saxon, Dokken, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Europe and Diamond Head.

Although it lasted only for a short time, classic metal enjoyed a lot of commercial success all over the world. Iron Maiden sold in excess of 58 million albums during the 80s and Dokken sold more than 16 million in the US alone. Europe's landmark album 'The Final Countdown' sold over 7 million copies in the States, while Scorpions and Judas Priest sold out big arenas around the world.

Classic metal influenced many later metal genres including hair metal, thrash metal, power metal and death metal. Classic metal bands were not as heavy and had a greater sense of melody than the thrash and death metal bands such as Metallica, Anthrax and Morbid Angel that they influenced. Often considered the purest form of metal, classic metal was popular for its combination of melody and aggression.

Origins

Classic metal artists were heavily influenced by traditional metal artists and classic rock artists. Artists like Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, KISS, Deep Purple, Van Halen, U.F.O. and Led Zeppelin were seminal influences.

Classic metal was also influenced by 70s punk rock although the punk influences diminished over time. For example, Iron Maiden had many punk elements in their first two albums but then moved away from punk and embraced all-out heavy metal.

However, the biggest influence on this genre came from the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal which broke out in the U.K. in the late 70s. In fact, Iron Maiden and Saxon were both part of this movement. As the movement spread through Europe and became a global phenomenon, it evolved into classic metal.

Decline

Classic metal's position as the most popular form of metal withered away in the late 1980s, especially in the 1987-1989 period. At this time, thrash metal and hair metal, two genres quite different from each other, came into the limelight. Gradually, public interest drifted towards these genres and away from classic metal. Many classic metal bands burned out in these process. Some joined one of these genres, (Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Europe, Motörhead), some dabbled in both these genres (Judas Priest, Skid Row, Scorpions), while some stuck to classic metal (Iron Maiden, W.A.S.P., Dokken, Dio).

Important artists

• Iron Maiden
• Judas Priest
• Dokken
• Saxon
• Twisted Sister
• Quiet Riot
• Accept
• Europe
• W.A.S.P.
• Manowar
• Dio
• Scorpions

Important albums

• Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast
• Dio - Holy Diver
• Dokken - Tooth And Nail
• Judas Priest - Screaming for Vengeance
• Twisted Sister - Under the Blade
• Saxon - Denim and Leather
• W.A.S.P. - The Last Command
• Quiet Riot - Metal Health
• Scorpions - Blackout

Definitive classic metal anthems

• Run To The Hills - Iron Maiden
• Rainbow In The Dark - Dio
• Under The Blade - Twisted Sister
• You've Got Another Thing Comming - Judas Priest
• Into The Fire - Dokken
• Bang Your Head - Quiet Riot
• Balls To The Wall - Accept
• I Wanna Be Somebody - W.A.S.P.
• And The Bands Played On - Saxon
• Kings Of Metal - Manowar

Related genres

• Glam metal
• Hard rock
• New Wave Of British Heavy Metal
• Traditional metal

See also

• Timeline Of Classic Metal
• Difference between classic metal and other genres of metal