White Hell - Lucifer (CJHM)

Artist: White Hell

Song: Lucifer

Album: Lucifer EP

Year: 1985

Label: Self-Released

Riding on the success of Venom's over the top satanic imagery, White Hell plays a hybrid of punk and heavy metal with their simple yet punchy single, Lucifer. The interesting aspect of this band is their having two vocalists in the band, both of them American, and inclusion of Japanese musicians to fill in the instrumental section. Although this band seems like a novelty, it captures a time and place in the birth of Japanese heavy metal -- where ideas were rudimentary and untame, and musicians were sub-par but dedicated. White Hell never made it to the top, but their release Lucifer is forever immortalized as a 'gem' to me.

Sabbrabells - Last Survivor (CJHM)

Artist: Sabbrabells

Song: Last Survivor

Album: One Night Magic

Year: 1987

Label: King

Sabbrabells was one of the biggest bands in Japan during their heyday in the mid 80's. Playing sold out arena shows and selling out albums was first on their list of accomplishments, and all the while, they flaunted an excessive satanic and occult image that seemed to appeal to their fans alike. Just like Venom and Iron Maiden sang songs about 666 and the number of the beast, Sabbrabells replicated the same concept and sold out arena shows like their British counterparts. Last Survivor takes on a more post apocalyptic approach, and is lumped in the general horror category. Kiichi really shows off his high vocal range on this one, although everyone whom I showed the song to all said they hated it. It still surprises me to this day how big this band was, and it's a true testament to how rock and roll can be bigger than Jesus, so to speak.

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Rosenfeld - Holocaust Eve (CJHM)

Artist: Rosenfeld

Song: Holocaust Eve

Album: Pigs of the Empire

Year: 1991

Label: Skull Crusher

Rosenfeld is still a mystery to me: they sing about the horrors of war and digress upon war crimes but they also flaunt Nazi imagery. From what I've read, the Nazi imagery was for shock value, to wake their listeners up to the atrocities humans have committed, which is leagues better than what Lemmy and Sid Vicious did with their Third Reich imagery. But speaking of the music, Rosenfeld play a pretty brutal style of thrash and use harsh vocals to get their anti-violent message across. Their songwriting is chaotic and they revel in the harshness of their sound, which makes them one of the most memorable bands in the field of Japanese metal.

Sniper - Open the Attack (CJHM)

Artist: Sniper

Song: Open the Attack

Album: Open the Attack

Year: 1984

Label: Electric Lady Land

If the previously mentioned Zadkiel was Japan's answer to Motorhead, Sniper is definitely Japan's answer to Van Halen. Open the Attack "opens" with a strong guitar riff accompanied by fast drumming and basswork. For the rest of the song, the guitars and vocals battle it out for the spotlight, each trying to outshine the other. Japan's heavy metal bands have the fortune of consistently featuring some of the best guitarists ever recorded, but Sniper's Burny stands as the cream of the crop. For 1984, and coming from a country where their only exposure of rock and roll is from the west, Sniper really sets up the Eastern attack with this release.

Hellen - Talon of King (CJHM)

Artist: Hellen

Song: Talon of King

Album: Talon of King

Year: 1985

Label: Mandrake Root

Hellen's brand of heavy metal must've been a rare breed in Japan because I have never heard anything like it. With the addition of a keyboard in the band, Hellen takes heavy metal into new directions with keyboard solos and melodies playing the most major role in the sound. In some parts, the keyboard is louder than the guitar, which is rare because it's an accepted norm that the guitar has the loudest level in heavy metal. Hellen shortly disbanded after their only EP, and rebanded almost 2 decades later. However, their legacy of piano virtuosity lives on with this release.

Casbah - No More Slaughter (CJHM)

Artist: Casbah

Song: No More Slaughter

Album: Infinite Pain demo

Year: 1987

Label: Self

Casbah was wellknown in the Japanese scene for their violent shows and songs. As one of the first thrash metal bands to come out of the country, they've gained the reputation for being one of the heaviest bands. No More Slaughter recounts a post apocalyptic future riddled with violence -- setting the mood for doom and gloom. The guitars help create the atmosphere with their loud and buzzy tone and the gang vocals shouting "NO MORE, NO MORE, SLAUGHTER" paints a picture of biker gang a la Mad Max 2.

Yokosuka Saver Tiger - Emergency Express (CJHM)

Artist: Yokosuka Saver Tiger

Song: Emergency Express

Album: Devil Must Be Driven Out With Devil (compilation)

Year: 1986

Label: Hold Up

The legendary Devil Must Be Drive Out with Devil compilation featured many punk bands and most got mainstream exposure through the release, but the one heavy metal band they featured was Yokosuka Saver Tiger. In one of the clearest production works heard at the time, Saver Tiger blew away all expectations with their creative dual guitar leads and inventive solos. Although not much could be said about their English pronunciation skills, their instrumental work shines in this song.

Randy Uchida Group - Crazy Bomber (CJHM)

Artist: Randy Uchida Group

Song: Crazy Bomber

Album: Deathly Fighter

Year: 1985

Label: Dogma

Presenting another one of the forgotten gems in Japan -- Randy Uchida Group plays slower midtempo heavy metal with plenty of shreddy solos and leads. Being the only output of the band, RUG puts out some pretty impressive heavy metal songs that give most guitarists their run for the money. These songs are very melodic and their vocalist, Ronny Wakamats, harmonizes quite well with the complicated guitar riffing. The star of the show, as you may have guessed, is Randy Uchida with his guitar virtuosity. Owing much influence to the late Randy Rhoads (from whom he derived his name), the guitar playing leaves little to be complained about.

Sabbat - Curdle the Blood (CJHM)

Artist: Sabbat

Song: Curdle the Blood

Album: Born by Evil Blood

Year: 1987

Label: Evil

Taking heavy influence and cue from Venom, Sabbat is an over the top heavy metal band from Tokyo. Most of their releases are self financed and recorded, so the quality is poor at best -- and it really shows with this release. The guitars are muffled and the drums are faint, but it captures the energy of the band nonetheless. The vocals don't come in until midway, and it sounds especially tortured and mixes with the instrumental work pretty well. This menacing release shows that with lower production work and high intensity, you can create some of the most creepy and vile albums. Definitely not for the faint of ears!

Zadkiel - Highway Z (CJHM)

Artist: Zadkiel

Song: Highway Z

Album: Highway Z (Single)

Year: 1986

Label: Hero

This largely forgotten band was Japan's answer to the legendary Motorhead. With raunchy and simple riffs, this three piece played fast, down and dirty English rock and roll... except they were from Japan. The production on this single is especially poor, but it captures the raw and furious energy of the band, right down to their gruff vocals and sloppy guitar playing and drumwork. The song ends in traditional Motorhead fashion -- a crash and burn of all the instruments, coming to a momentous and disastrous halt.

Crowley - Stalker (CJHM)

Artist: Crowley

Song: Stalker

Album: Whisper of the Evil

Year: 1986

Label: Electric Ladyland

Crowley is one of the more well known 'traditional' heavy metal bands of Japan, and with Whisper of the Evil, one can quickly pick up on their charade. They wear make up, have overt references to the occult and satan and play mid tempo heavy metal. I start with them because they are what every parent thinks of when they think of 'heavy metal'. Although they may sound generic with the song Stalker, their riffs are more or less catchy and the solo is terrific. Although most throw this band under the "bedroom satanist" wagon, their hearts are still in the right place and there's no denying how rockin' these tunes are.

Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues (PHM)

Artist: Blue Cheer

Song: Summertime Blues

Album: Vincebus Eruptum

Year: 1968

Label: Philips

Despite being a psych rock band, Blue Cheer churned out one of the heaviest releases of its time with their cover of Eddie Cochran's 'Summertime Blues'. The bass is thundering, the drums sound manic and the guitars are out of control -- which was the perfect recipe for proto heavy metal. Listening to the song carefully, one will instantly remember how wild the drums are -- the drummer doesn't wait for the guitars to pick up on tempo, instead plays quickly and maniacally by itself.

The Kinks - You Really Got Me (PHM)

Artist: The Kinks

Song: You Really Got Me

Album: You Really Got Me (Single)

Year: 1964

Label: Pye

Short and sweet is the way the Kinks wanted their smash hit You Really Got Me to be -- with raunchy vocals and heavily distorted guitar (for its time), it would ignite the spark of rebellious garage rock in Britain. The Kinks, along with the Yardbirds, were cited to be one of the first 'heavier' rock groups in England, and inspired many psych rock bands to pick up their first guitars in Britain. The vocals are especially of note in this song, the chorus is sung with a snarky tone -- one that really foreshadows the rebellion in music to come.

Deep Purple - Highway Star (PHM)

Artist: Deep Purple

Song: Highway Star

Album: Machine Head

Year: 1972

Label: EMI

One of the most famous hard rock bands of the 70s was Deep Purple, and with Highway Star, they've solidified their status as one of the first heavy metal bands. The song Highway Star is about a maniac and his car, and the frantic speed of the song reflects on the chaotic audiotopic quality of the song. Ritchie Blackmoore's ability on the guitar, especially the solo, would lay the groundwork for metal guitarplaying for years to come.

Uriah Heep - Gypsy (PHM)

Artist: Uriah Heep

Song: Gypsy

Album: Very 'eavy ... Very 'umble

Year: 1970

Label: Vertigo

This album was infamous from the start from widely critical panning by the music press, especially from Rolling Stone, in which one reviewer wrote "If this group makes it I'll have to commit suicide. From the first note you know you don't want to hear any more." And from those harsh words grew a bluesy hard rock band that is currently 21 albums strong. In listening to Gypsy, the listener is overwhelmed at first with the array of guitar effects and VERY progressive songwriting. However, the main riff keeps all the eccentricities of the song together. The song is very operatic in nature, featuring vocalist David Byron playing a narrative role and the rest of the band setting the atmosphere for the stage. Although the song goes off on a tangent after the first half, it's still an incredible listen from start to finish.

T. Rex - 20th Century Boy (PHM)

Artist: T. Rex

Song: 20th Century Boy

Album: 20th Century Boy (single)

Year: 1973

Label: Fly

Often credited as one of the first glam rock bands, T. Rex was one of the most important bands to push the hard rock envelope. Right from the beginning, T. Rex strums out some memorable power chords to open up the song. The sheer density of the song is notable: there's so much going on under the production! Female operatic vocals, sporadic saxophones, frantic drumming all envelope the simple power chord riff of the song... and all the while, Marc Bolan keeps his cool with his twangy and fitting vocals. Sadlyl, Marc Bolan's vision of an era of 'cosmic rock' was cut short when he died in 1977. However, his work echoes just as loudly today as it did in 1973.

Queen - Stone Cold Crazy (PHM)

Artist: Queen

Song: Stone Cold Crazy

Album: Sheer Heart Attack

Year: 1974

Label: EMI

Queen has never been traditionally viewed as a 'heavy metal' group, but they put out a song that fit the bill for proto heavy metal. In 1974, Stone Cold Crazy featured a blistering fast tempo and equally fast vocal delivery. The lyrics dealt with organized crime, namely that of Al Capone's untimely career -- all delivered without a single hiccup from the legendary vocals of Freddie Mercury. The live versions of the song is especially a treat to watch since the drums sound like its struggling to keep up with the pace of the guitar. On a sidenote, it later went to be covered by bands like Metallica and members of Black Sabbath.

Flower Travellin Band - Satori (PHM)

Artist: Flower Travellin' Band

Song: Satori (Part 3)

Album: Satori

Year: 1971

Label: Radioactive

As one of the first psych rock bands to come out of Japan, the Flower Travellin' Band came from the ashes of the hippie movement and delved further into experimental blues rock territories. While their first releases were mainly covers of popular western rock music, the Flower Travellin' Band released their first and only original release, Satori, in 1971. This 5 part epic combines elements of blues and experimental rock into one indescribable genre. It's filled with guitar leads that come in randomly and seem to go nowhere, and macro-riffs that repeat themselves over and over. It's definitely not the stuff that will remind you of 60's hippie music!

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath (PHM)

Artist: Black Sabbath

Song: Black Sabbath

Album: Black Sabbath

Year: 1970

Label: Warner

Although it's quite cliche to list the first song of the first album of a band, the intensity of Black Sabbath's self titled debut leaves audiences in awe, even in today's age. To give a little insight, Black Sabbath borrows its name from a Boris Karloff horror movie of the same title -- with it, the band took their creativity in the darker realms of the human imagination. The eerie song begins with rainfall, thunder and bells tolling, and culminates with the stroke of the first three notes. Ozzy's harrowing voice sings the grim and cryptic verses of

What is this that stands before me?

Figure in black which points at me.

Turn 'round quick, and start to run

Find out I'm the chosen one.

Unrelenting in its emotive attack, Black Sabbath builds deep suspense and grasps the listener into a world of the unknown. Words can't describe the level of suspense and anxiety they create with this introduction, so give no further ado and give it a listen:

Coven - Wicked Woman (PHM)

Artist: Coven

Song: Wicked Woman

Album: Witchcraft Destroys the Soul and Reaps Minds

Year: 1969

Label: Mercury

It's hard to imagine that an album like Witchcraft would be released on a mainstream record label, but it did! In 1969, Coven sent shockwaves with their controversial album about heresy, the occult and namely, witchcraft. The female fronted Coven played psychedelic rock that was in line with most of psych rock bands in the 1970s. With a powerful voice akin to Janis Joplin, frontwoman Jinx Dawson bewitches us with some serious rock and roll. This was one of the first albums to explore the 'dark-side' of mankind, and it was released right at the summer of 'peace and love'. Even in 2010, it's hard to swallow an album that contains an incantation of "you'll go to hell" shouted at the listeners. Needless to say, this legendary album's release in 1969 cements one of the first proto heavy metal albums ever.

Saxon - Wheels of Steel (NWOBHM)

Artist: Saxon

Song: Wheels of Steel

Album: Wheels of Steel

Year: 1980

Label: EMI

Although legendary for singing about heroic conquest of mythological times, Saxon takes a contemporary approach to songwriting and presents us with this gem of an album. Wheels of Steel pays homage to their love of automotives, especially when it comes to American muscle cars. At first listen, it sounds like stereotypical driving music, and to be honest, it pretty much is. Wheels of Steel is a straight forward approach to American rock and roll done by a British heavy metal band, and it comes pretty close to the real thing. The chord progression remains the same throughout the entire song and the vocals are gruff, mean and loves to go on about his '68 chevy. The novelty of the album is clear when most of the songs are about aviation and automotives. If there's one territory NWOBHM hasn't covered, I'd be the first one too want an example. Get your aviators and put this album in your tape deck -- you'll thank me later.

Judas Priest - Hell Bent for Leather (NWOBHM)

Artist: Judas Priest

Song: Hell Bent for Leather

Album: Killing Machine

Year: 1978

Label: Columbia / Sony

As one of the longest running bands in history, Judas Priest went through many musical phases before they've settled on their heavy metal style in the late 70's. Although many consider British Steel to be the debut of their metal career, Killing Machine contains many hints of their career to come. Hell Bent for Leather showcases the incredible talent that make up the Priest: Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing share the limelight with their virtuosity on the guitar and Rob Halford goes up and down his multiple octave voice with ease. The catchy riffs in the song layered with epic lyrics dealing with highway combat makes this one of the most revered Judas Priest songs -- in fact, it's still a staple in their setlist 32 years after its debut.

Motorhead - Shoot you in the Back (NWOBHM)

Artist: Motorhead

Song: Shoot you in the Back

Album: Ace of Spades

Year: 1980

Label: Bronze

No NWOBHM list is complete without the addition of Motorhead, one of the few bands that combined the speed and ferocity of punk with the heavy sound and attitude of heavy metal. Although they've never claimed to be a metal band (instead, owing their affinity for rock and roll instead), it's undeniable that they have an uncannily metal sound with Ace of Spades. Lemmy's deep, throaty singing coupled with simple and raw guitar playing makes Ace of Spades one of the most memorable albums in the NWOBHM repetoire.

Shoot you in the Back deals with a subject matter rarely touched on in songwriting; it pays an homage to classic western movies. It has an audiotopic quality that takes the listener back to the setting of the Dollars trilogy and refits them into the boots of the man with no name. This outlaw attitude toward songwriting would reflect on their album cover, where the members are dressed clad in western outfits. This album isn't just for heavy metal fans, it's for rock and roll enthusiasts everywhere.

Venom - Bloodlust (NWOBHM)

Artist: Venom

Song: Bloodlust

Album: Bloodlust EP (later included in Black Metal LP)

Year: 1982

Label: Neat

Once hailed as the 'most evil band in England', Venom is known for taking the occult themes of NWOBHM to the extremes, even going on the record to flaunt their satanist beliefs. While it was all the while shocking to England at the time, most musicians saw their over-the-top satanist attitude to be just a mere display of shock value. With their flamboyant facade out of the way, Venom became one of the most influential heavy metal bands, going as far as influencing an array of metal genres into the 80's and 90's, and also inspiring the iconic leather and spikes look. Venom also created mystique through their use of stage names instead of using their real names. The power trio dubbed themselves: Cronos, Abbadon and Mantas.

Bloodlust lives up to Venom's controversial persona: violent lyrics, heavily distorted guitars, breakneck speeds and everything that would scare away a mother in the early 80s.

Tank - Shellshock (NWOBHM)

Artist: Tank

Title: Shellshock

Album: Filth Hounds of Hades

Year: 1982

Label: Kamaflage

With their power trio of a bassist/vocalist, guitarist and drummer, Tank brings out some of the best Motorhead worship of the 80's. Their violent war-inspired lyrics give us a glimpse into the economic and global uncertainty of the 80s. This was the time when the Balkan wars tore the nation of England as much as the Vietnam war did for the US. The intro to the song samples 'hoo-hahs!' of ground troops and fighter planes and quickly rips into full throttle with dirty and raw guitar playing. The lyrics talk of excess ("I just don't know where to stop / I just can't get enough") and fall nothing short of NWOBHM standards.

Witchfynde - The Divine Victim (NWOBHM)

Artist: Witchfynde

Song: The Divine Victim

Album: Give 'em Hell

Year: 1980

Label: Rondelet

With the goofy album cover aside, Witchfynde plays some serious midtempo hard rock with equally serious lyrics. The Divine Victim is about the Joan of Arc, who they praised as she was martyred as a witch. Inferring from the rest of the satanic and occult themes of the album, it would easily have been one of the more controversial albums if the band wasn't so obscure! The entire song is played in a very lax manner, and never speeds up or down, and really borders the heavy metal and hard rock borders, but with its occult tendencies, there's no choice but to lump it in the NWOBHM camp.

Diamond Head - Lightning to the Nations (NWOBHM)

Artist: Diamond Head

Song: Lightning to the Nations

Album: Lightning to the Nations

Year: 1980

Label: Self Released

Diamond Head's Lightning to the Nation starts off with a rock and roll groove built on the pentatonic scale and slows down to Sean Harris' powerful vocals. Admittedly, this is one of the slower NWOBHM songs, but it's undeniably heavy. Diamond Head would later go on into obscurity, but Lightning to the Nations would be forever immortalized by Metallica's infamous cover of Am I Evil? It's also quite notable that this album was financed and released by themselves on their own Happy Face Records, and only 1000 copies were printed.

Angel Witch - Angel Witch (NWOBHM)

Artist: Angel Witch

Song: Angel Witch

Album: Angel Witch

Year: 1980

Label: Bronze

Taking influence from Deep Purple's Ian Gillian vocals, Angel Witch simmer up a classic occult themed heavy metal album with their self titled debut. Although the level of occultism is seen as novelty as best, it was still quite shocking at the time (Remember, Number of the Beast still sent shockwaves through England and the US and that was 1982!). The guitars are what really shines through this album, speedy riffs and frantic solos are all over this album. It's hard to believe that just 3 years before the release of this album, Led Zeppelin was still writing bluesy hard rock and at their peak of popularity. What a way to chime in the new decade of the 80s than with this album!

Tygers of Pan Tang - Hellbound (NWOBHM)

Band: Tygers of Pan Tang

Song: Hellbound

Album: Spellbound

Year: 1981

Label: MCA

Filled with ripping Motorhead styled riffs, Tygers of Pan Tang's solo laden Hellbound is fast, heavy and straight to the point. The simple lyrics gives a narrative about going face first into the ground, heading right to the ground, and alludes it to being Hellbound. The context is up to the listener, but there's no denying the ferocity of the Tygers in this release. Although more on the rock and roll side of things, Hellbound is a classic example of NWOBHM.

Iron Maiden - Die With Your Boots On (NWOBHM)

Artist: Iron Maiden
Song: Die With Your Boots On
Album: Piece of Mind
Year: 1983
Label: EMI

Most Iron Maiden fans will tell you this is their favorite album, and that title is well earned. The album is one of the first to feature dual guitar leads by Dave Murray and Adrian Smith, galloping bass from Steve Harris and the wide vocal range of Bruce Dickinson. It also features countless hits like "Invaders", "Die With Your Boots On", "The Trooper" and "To Tame a Land". It deviates from the hard rock genre as it provides a generous serving of melodic dual guitar leads and draws influence from fantasy and fiction.

Die With Your Boots On is, in my opinion, the most standout track from this album. It exemplifies the very core of NWOBHM -- it features epic songwriting with powerful guitars, a loud bass rhythm and lyrical content that reflects the heroes of the romantic era. It delves into the idea of virtue and honor, all the while creating a song that was sure to be stuck in your head for the rest of the week.