NWOBHM 1980s Albums

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son keeps Iron Maiden’s traditional charge while adding keyboard color and a connected narrative.

The seventh album, self-produced for Combat Records in America and the first with ex-Pentagram drummer Joe Hasselvander.

Saxon's ninth album, from March 1988 and their last for EMI. It opens with a cover of Christopher Cross's "Ride Like the Wind".

Hysteria layers guitars, lead vocals and choruses until each song carries an enormous hook.

The last Raven record for Atlantic, and the last with Rob "Wacko" Hunter on drums. Twelve tracks.

The last studio album of the band's first run, issued by Zebra Records in 1987 as ZEB 10. Founder Robb Weir had already left, and the band stopped after it.

Somewhere in Time keeps Iron Maiden’s fast riffs and narrative drive while adding new color through synthesized guitar texture.

The second Atlantic album, cut at Bearsville with Eddie Kramer producing — and the Raven record John Gallagher is hardest on.

Saxon's eighth album, released in September 1986. Steve Dawson had gone, so Byford played the bass himself; Elton John plays piano on one track.

Iron Maiden's first live album, drawn from the World Slavery Tour of 1984 and 1985 and released by EMI as a double LP on 14 October 1985.

The Atlantic debut, made after the move to New York, and home to the MTV single "On And On".

Saxon's seventh album, released in September 1985. It is their first for EMI and the last with the founding bassist Steve Dawson.

A studio album released by Music for Nations in 1985 as MFN 50, and the first the band made without founder Robb Weir. Victor issued the Japanese edition on 21 January 1986 as VDP-1066.

Powerslave is one of the records where Iron Maiden most naturally joins fast metal, dramatic development and historical subject matter.

The double live album that closed the Neat years, its sleeve boasting that the record carries no overdubs.

Saxon's sixth album, released on 30 January 1984 and reaching eighteen in Britain. Recorded at Sound City in California, it steps away from the sound they had made their own.

Pyromania combines sharp guitar riffs, stacked choruses and tightly controlled rhythm with remarkable density.

Piece of Mind joins racing riffs, carefully built rhythm and Bruce Dickinson’s powerful vocal into a confident Iron Maiden statement.

The third album, co-produced by Michael Wagener and Accept's Udo Dirkschneider, and home to the song "Athletic Rock".

Saxon's fifth album, from March 1983. It is the first with Nigel Glockler on drums and their best-selling record, over 1.5 million copies worldwide.

The Number of the Beast expands Iron Maiden’s world through racing guitars, leaping bass and a vocal performance that heightens every dramatic turn.

The second album, recorded and mixed in six days alongside the Crash Bang Wallop EP, and released in May 1982.

The fourth studio album, issued by MCA Records in 1982 as MCF 3150. It is the last with John Sykes, and its eleven tracks include the cover "Love Potion No. 9".

High ’n’ Dry keeps Def Leppard’s rough NWOBHM edge while moving toward more organized riffs, layered choruses and stronger melody.

Killers locks Steve Harris’s racing bass, Dave Murray and Adrian Smith’s guitars, and Paul Di’Anno’s rough vocal into a focused attack.

The debut Praying Mantis album, released by Arista on 3 April 1981. It has been read ever since as one of the defining records of the new wave of British heavy metal, and it reached number 60 on the UK albums chart. Nine songs.

The 1981 debut, and the first LP Neat Records ever issued — recorded a day at a time over a long stretch.

Saxon's fourth album, released on 25 September 1981 and reaching number nine in Britain. It went gold across Europe and is the last record by the founding line-up.

The third studio album, released by MCA Records on 3 November 1981 as MCF 3123 — barely seven months after Spellbound.

The second studio album, released by MCA Records on 10 April 1981 as MCF 3104. It is the first with the new line-up: John Sykes on guitar and Jon Deverill on vocals.

On Through the Night feels like Def Leppard’s youthful impulse captured without restraint.

Iron Maiden brings punk-bred urgency and heavy-metal structure together around Steve Harris’s leaping bass.

Saxon's third album, released in 1980 and reaching number eleven in Britain. It arrived only six or seven months after Wheels of Steel.

Saxon's second album, released on 3 April 1980. It reached number five in Britain, still their highest placing, and remains one of the records the new wave of British heavy metal is named by.

The debut album, released by MCA Records in 1980. It was made by the four-piece of Jess Cox (vocals), Robb Weir (guitar), Richard "Rocky" Laws (bass) and Brian "Big" Dick (drums). It is on no streaming service, so this page leads with the sleeve.