New wave of traditional heavy metal


The new wave of traditional heavy metal is a musical movement that started in the late 2000s, that began as a revival of classic or traditional metal sound from the 1970s and 1980s. The term is used to describe bands that make heavy use of the elements and style of that era of metal music.

Origin

The NWOTHM initially began in the mid 2000s, with a number of bands that began to write and record music that reflected the style and sound of classic heavy metal. These bands combine elements of the metal genres from the 70s and 80s, especially that of the NWOBHM. The movement's revival of this style helped to re-define 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.
With the genre so far removed, and the classic metal sound having mostly vanished from the mainstream, newly formed bands began to make music that would become the NWOTHM. The movement continues to grow, although it has not achieved the same commercial success as the genres it seeks to revive.
Examples of NWOTHM bands include: Enforcer, Cauldron, and White Wizzard.

Characteristics

Identity and Style

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

Lyrical Themes

The lyrical themes found in the music of NWOTHM 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, and are not typically lighthearted in nature; the music often puts emphasis on lyrics that deal with "dark and depressing subject matter to an extent hitherto unprecedented".

Musical Elements

In line with its identity as a revival of traditional metal, the NWOTHM combines and incorporates elements of speed metal, power metal, and the NWOBHM. It makes use of distorted guitars 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. The vocals are essential to the heavy metal sound; in the case of the NWOTHM, vocals are usually loud, vigorous, powerful and only slightly rough. 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.