New wave of traditional heavy metal

New wave of traditional heavy metal
Stylistic origins	Heavy metal speed metal N.W.O.B.H.M. power metal
Cultural origins	Mid-2000s
Typical instruments	Vocals electric guitar bass guitar drums
Other topics
Heavy metal genres new wave of classic rock

The new wave of traditional heavy metal (N.W.O.T.H.M.) is a musical movement that started in the mid-2000s as a revival of classic metal sound from the 1970s and 1980s.^[1] The term is used to describe bands that make heavy use of the elements and style of that era of metal music.

Origin

The N.W.O.T.H.M. initially started in the mid-2000s with a number of bands, such as Cauldron, Skull Fist, and Enforcer, who began to write and record music that reflected the style and sound of classic heavy metal. These bands combined elements of the metal genres from the '70s and '80s, especially those of the N.W.O.B.H.M., although some bands are also influenced from genres such as speed metal, power metal and hard rock.^[1]

While the overall movement's focus was placed on replicating both the sound and success of traditional heavy metal, many of the early N.W.O.T.H.M bands also incorporated noticeable influence from more melodic mainstream rock and alternative genres. However, by the mid-2010s, the movement took a shift in its creative direction, growing into a substantial underground scene with a less commercial, more gritty sound.^[2]

Characteristics

Identity and style

Further information: Heavy metal subculture

The N.W.O.T.H.M. takes on a lot of the culture surrounding traditional metal music, as it does with its sound.^[1] Attire and appearance typically associated with heavy metal music, such as long hair, leather jackets/vests, and tattoos, are present in the N.W.O.T.H.M. movement.^[3] Gestures, movements, and behaviors such as headbanging^[4] are also common at concerts and live performances.

Lyrical themes

Further information: Heavy metal lyrics

The lyrical themes found in the music of N.W.O.T.H.M. 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,^[5] and are not typically lighthearted in nature;^[3] the music often puts emphasis on lyrics that deal with "dark and depressing subject matter to an extent hitherto unprecedented".^[6]

Musical elements

In line with its identity as a revival of traditional metal, the N.W.O.T.H.M. combines and incorporates elements of speed metal, power metal, and the N.W.O.B.H.M. It makes use of distorted guitars^[7] 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.^[8] The vocals are essential to the heavy metal sound; in the case of the N.W.O.T.H.M., vocals are almost exclusively clean, and like in most traditional heavy metal, are loud, intense and powerful. 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.^[3]

Bands

This is a list of NWOTHM bands.

• Black Moor^[9]
• Cauldron^[1]
• Crystal Viper^[10]
• Diemonds^[11]
• Enforcer^[12]
• Eternal Champion^[13]
• Grand Magus^[14]
• Haunt^[15][16]
• Kryptos^[16]
• Night Demon^[12]
• Redshark^[17]
• Skull Fist^[18]
• Striker^[12]
• Tailgunner^[16]
• White Wizzard^[19]
• Wolf^[20]
• Wytch Hazel^[16]

See also

• New wave of classic rock

References

1. "A Beginners Guide to The New Wave Of Traditional Heavy Metal". The Great Northern Blogkill. 2013-04-02. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
2. Cram, Preston (2021-03-25). "What Is NWOTHM? 12 Must-Hear Bands from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal". Preston Cram. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
3. Weinstein, Deena (2000). Heavy Metal: The Music And Its Culture, Revised Edition. Da Capo Press. pp. 294, 35, 26. ISBN 978-0-306-80970-5.
4. "headbang definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta". 2010-04-23. Archived from the original on 2010-04-23. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
5. Cope, Andrew L. (2010). Black Sabbath and the Rise of Heavy Metal Music. Ashgate Publishing Ltd. p. 139.
6. Hatch and Millward (1989), p. 167
7. Walser, Robert (1993). Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music. Wesleyan University Press. p. 10. ISBN 0-8195-6260-2.
8. "Lamb of God's Chris Adler: More Than Meets The Eye". Modern Drummer Magazine. 2006-08-17. Retrieved 2020-02-07.
9. "Black Moor". nolifetilmetal.com. No Life Til Metal. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
10. "CRYSTAL VIPER - New Album!". KronosMortusNews. 2020-09-03. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
11. "20 Canadian New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal Bands". Metal Sucks. 2023-01-17. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
12. "The New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal: Pt.1". Metal Hall of Fame. 2021-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
13. "Eternal Champion - The Armor of Ire". Encyclopaedia Metallum. 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-12.
14. Phoenician, The (2020-02-20). "Traditional Heavy Metal Revival: Top 7 Awesome Bands of NWOTHM". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
15. "Album Review: Haunt – Flashback". Nattskog Wordpress. 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
16. "Tailgunner and the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal". Sun 13. 2022-09-15. Retrieved 2023-02-17.
17. "NWOTHM act REDSHARK joins Iron Oxide Records, "Evil Realm" Out in June!". KronosMortusNews. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2023-02-14.
18. "Skull Fist: 'Paid In Full"". Sleazy Roxx. 2022-11-05. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
19. Cram, Preston (2021-03-25). "What Is NWOTHM? 12 Must-Hear Bands from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal". Preston Cram. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
20. Plug, Ralph (2022-06-08). "Wolf - Shadowland". Sounds From the Dark Side. Retrieved 2022-06-08.