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Classic MetalClassic Metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music or Rock music. This genre was at it's peak popularity during the early 80s. It is generally considered that Rock music too was at it's artistic peak during this peroid. This genre characterizes the use of thumping fast basslines, fast, but less heavy riffs, extended lead guitar solos, high pitched vocals and anthemic choruses. Often, this is the earliest form of real metal (ie after Roots Of Metal artists like Alice Cooper, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and Deep Purple) Artists include Iron Maiden, Saxon, Dokken, Judas Priest, Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Europe and others. It shouldn't be confused with Roots Of Metal genre. This genre boomed in the early to mid 80s, when NWOBHM fizzled out, untill when Hair metal came in. Although, it lasted only for a short time, Classic Metal bands enjoyed a lot of commercial success all over the world.Iron Maiden sold in excess of 58 million albums during the 80s, Dokken sold more than 16 million in US alone. Europe's landmark album 'The Final Countdown' sold over 7 million copies in the States, while Scorpions and Judas Priest sold out big arenas around the world. Metal influenced a lot of later Metal genres, including Hair Metal, Thrash, Power Metal and others. The Classic Metal bands were less heavy than the Thrash and Death Metal bands that they influenced like Metallica, Anthrax, Morbid Angel etc., and had a more pronounced sense of melody . Many times referred to as the purest form of Metal, Classic Metal was popular for its combination of melody and aggression. Classical Influence Classic metal artists were heavily influenced by Traditional metal artists and Classic rock artists. Artists like Black Sabbath, Alice Cooper, KISS, Deep Purple, Van Halen, U.F.O. and Led Zeppelin were seminal influences. Classic Metal was also influenced by 70s Punk Rock. The influence of Punk Rock became less and less, as even Iron Maiden who had many punk elements in the first two albums, moved away from it and embraced all-out Heavy Metal. However, the biggest influence on this genre came from the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal which broke out in the U.K. in the late 70s. In fact, Iron Maiden and Saxon were both part of this movement. As the movement spread, through Europe and became a global phenomenon, it turned into Classic metal. Decline Of Classic Metal Era The Classic Metal Era during which, Classic metal was the most popular form of music, withered away in the late 80s, especially in the 1987-1989 era. During this time, two diametrically opposite genres, viz. Thrash metal and Hair metal came into the limelight. Gradually, public interest drifted towards these genres and away from classic metal. Many classic metal bands burned out in these process. Some joined one of these genres, (Twisted Sister, Quiet Riot, Europe, Motrhead), some dabbled in both these genres (Judas Priest, Skid Row, Scorpions), while some stuck to Classic metal (Iron Maiden, W.A.S.P., Dokken, Dio). Important Artists Important Albums Definitive Classic Metal Anthems Related Genres See Also
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