The Best New Wave Of British Heavy Metal Bands

While the movement known as the new wave of British heavy metal (better known to the masses as NWOBHM) started in the late 1970s, it wasn't until the 1980s that these British metal bands caught fire globally. Featuring elements of punk rock, progressive rock and a new, tougher sound, these British heavy metal bands featured elements like power chords, lightning fast guitar solo and epic soaring vocals that defined the songs. Lyrically, the songs took a more mythic, fantasy, almost mystical standpoint as compared to other heavy metal bands that came before them. Thus, they became popular with a different type (read, more rabid) audience in the metal community.

You've probably heard of a number of the best NWOBHM bands. Many of these bands are still touring years after their initial popularity. That's why you'll see the best NWOBHM outfits like Motorhead, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Def Leppard on this list of new wave of british heavy metal bands. While there have been a slew of great metal bands to emerge from the UK over the years, this era of NWOBHM bands can count itself as one of the most successful in both metal history and music history. Several metal icons were in these bands and are among the greatest heavy metal bands of all.

So, what band can rightfully be considered the best new wave of British heavy metal band? That's not an easy question, but it's up to you fan of NWOBHM to determine what British metal band should be at the top of the heap. This list answers the questions "who are the best new wave of british heavy metal bands of all time?" and "who is the greatest new wave of British heavy metal musician ever?" If you know enough about the genre, please vote based on the quality of the band's music instead of just voting for the most popular new wave of British heavy metal bands that you might've heard of. {#nodes}