| The names speak for themselves - Iron Maiden, Def
Leppard, Saxon, Samson, Venom, Diamond Head, Girlschool and Praying
Mantis. Just a handful of the bands who made it during the period
1979 to 1981. The phrase was first coined by Geoff Barton at Sounds,
but much credit is also due to DJ Neal Kay, whose help in giving
bands like Iron Maiden and Praying Mantis (as well as many others)
their first break was crucial. EMI Pecords were quick off the
mark and with Kay's help they produced the compilation album,
Metal For Muthas, which put many bands on the road to fame and
others, like Tbad The Wet Sprockett, on the road to obscurity. |
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Well over 200 bands emerged during this period and
many released records on their own labels - even more never got
past the rehearsal stage, while others remained strictly bedroom'
bands. This enthusiasm also helped to revitalize older bands and
some, like Gillan and Moto~rhead, became spearheads for the movement
Yet by 1981 the corporate machine began to eat up the talent and
American influences crept in to destroy the movement's identity |
| If, as has often been stated, the movement started
with Iron Maiden's Soundhouse Illipes EP in 1979, then it would
be equally true to say that the final nail in its coffin came
in September 1981 when Paul Di'Anno left them. Just like punk
in 1977, the ideas and attitude fell victim to clean living and
cornmerciality. |
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