Rockpedia

Compare

Two genres, side by side. The ratings are editorial judgements on a ten-point scale, not measurements. Where they come out level, the difference is in the prose underneath them.

First genre

NWOTHM2005

Second genre

Traditional heavy metal1976

Head to headNWOTHM vs Traditional heavy metal
NWOTHM: heaviness 6, melody 9, speed 7. Traditional heavy metal: heaviness 7, melody 9, speed 6.Heaviness6 / 7Melody9 / 9Speed7 / 6
Each corner is a ten-point rating. The further out, the higher.

The difference, by ear

Traditional metal is the wider parent. The revival is specific about which years of it it is reproducing.

Both are sung cleanly and move at much the same pace, around 120 to 180 bpm. To hear the difference, play Enforcer next to Judas Priest. NWOTHM grew out of traditional heavy metal, 29 years later.

Put together from each genre's vocals, tempo, song length, key acts and place in the tree.

In figures

Heaviness
NWOTHM6
Traditional heavy metal7
+1
Speed
NWOTHM7
Traditional heavy metal6
−1
Melody
NWOTHM9
Traditional heavy metal9
level

NWOTHM

2005 · Global

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Traditional heavy metal › NWOTHM

In short

New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal: a new generation deliberately playing like it's 1982, down to the tape production.

How it sounds

  • Deliberate reproduction of 1981-1984 production, often recorded to analogue tape.
  • Riffs and harmonies straight in the NWOBHM tradition, with no modern elements.
  • Hand-painted covers and cassette releases - it is all part of the package.

Key acts

  • Enforcer
  • Cauldron
  • Haunt

Start here

The pickEnforcer - Diamonds. Sounds like 1983 and was recorded in 2010.

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Traditional heavy metal

1976 · UK / USA · 2 subgenres

Where it sits

Heavy metal › Traditional heavy metal

In short

The classic form: high vocals, twin lead guitars, choruses to raise a fist to. Leather and studs.

How it sounds

  • High vocals with controlled vibrato and sustained top notes.
  • Two lead guitars harmonising and trading solos.
  • Singalong choruses, medium to fast tempos, epic or motivational lyrics.

Key acts

  • Judas Priest
  • Dio
  • Manowar
  • Accept

Start here

The pickJudas Priest - Sad Wings of Destiny. Before the leather, and already perfect.

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