The NWOBHM Big Four: Ranking the 1977-1983 Albums of Iron Maiden, Motorhead, Saxon, and Def Leppard

Join Pete Pardo & Martin Popoff as they rank the 1977-1983 albums of Motorhead, Saxon, Iron Maiden, and Def Leppard, the years of the NWOBHM. #nwobhm
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[@IraSiegel]

“Newer” Motörhead albums are all underrated gems.

[@HockeyDudeJames2]

Best music and Movie Channel on KZbin.

[@johansoderberg6546]

A possible Idea for a ranking show: Martin Birch productions, either in terms of best productions or best records.

[@sabinoabdala5685]

Top 10 1. Killers 2. Ace of Spades 3. The Number of the Beast 4. Iron Maiden 5. Piece of Mind 6. Overkill 7. Bomber 8. Another Perfect Day 9. Motörhead 10. Iron Fist

[@HockeyDudeJames2]

Great list. I always felt like an outsider liking Killers more than the Number.

[@thomashubner697]

This ranking of the three NWOBHM Bands + Motorhead is probably the hardest ranking to do for me. Not one bad album. 1.Iron Maiden 2.Another perfect day 3.Power and the glory 4.Piece of mind 5.Killers 6.Iron fist 7.Overkill 8.Strong arm of the law 9.Pyromania 10.Ace of spades 11.The number of the beast 12.Denim and leather 13.Bomber 14.Wheels of steel 15.High' dry 16.Motorhead 17.On through the night 18.Saxon

[@ilovevinyl620]

My Top 10: 1. Saxon- Strong Arm of the Law 2. Motörhead - Ace of Spades 3. Iron Maiden- Killers 4. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast 5. Saxon - Wheels of Steel 6. Motörhead - Iron Fist 7. Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind 8. Saxon- Denim And Leather 9. Motörhead - Overkill 10. Saxon- Power and the Glory

[@christianhaynes1954]

I'm inspired to listen to killers again 👍thanks .

[@patriotpizzaman]

I listened to it again today after watching this and I still like the debut and seven or eight of their other albums better than Killers. Killers has been basically an EP to me since I got it after Number of the Beast came out. I like three songs ALOT and I skip the rest unless (like today) I'm giving it the old college try one more time.

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

@@patriotpizzaman Wow, really? This truly proves that we hear things differently. I consider KILLERS, not only Iron Maiden's BEST album, but one of the great LPs of the early 80s from any artist. Every last song on KILLERS is brilliant, fantastic, memorable and highly effective! DiAnno's unhinged voice nearly puts me in a trance and the riffs are all marvelously catchy and indelible. TNOTB, for example is really only "half" good. And the debut is pretty much a set up for the greatness that IS Killers. So yeah, saying that we disagree is a major understatement! M ⚡

[@samopaik8695]

Tygers of Pan Tang need to be here.

[@skyscraper38]

Splendid show once again guys. Very enjoyable to watch, as always. 👍🏼😊🤘🏼

[@independenceltd.]

1. The Number of the Beast 2. Piece of Mind 3. Iron Maiden 4. Killers 5. Denim and Leather 6. Strong Arm of the Law 7. Ace of Spades 8. On Through the Night 9. Wheels of Steel 10. Overkill 11. Power & the Glory 12. High 'n' Dry 13. Bomber 14. Iron Fist 15. Another Perfect Day 16. Saxon 17. Motorhead 18. Pyromania

[@patriotpizzaman]

Spot on with the Maiden order!

[@metaldams78]

Every one of these albums are killer except that debut Saxon - and even that album has a few tracks I like.

[@Hecatecrossways]

@@metaldams78 The Saxon debut blows them all away. Backs to the Wall was the Heaviest Metal song since Sabbath Bloody Sabbath, and by far the all time greatest Saxon song.

[@metaldams78]

Backs to the Wall, Militia Guard, Stallions of the Highway and Frozen Rainbow are fine. But is there a single song on any of the other 17 albums discussed worse than “Still Fit to Boogie?” “Big Teaser” is only slightly better.

[@frizonsaxon]

I love the first Saxon album! Frozen Rainbow, Militia Guard, Judgement Day, Backs to the Wall...Great songs!

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

Right! Most especially Rainbow Theme/Frozen Rainbow. I don't know how any ROCK...metal....music fan could not love it. Also, "Still Fit To Boogie" is a bit of a gem as well. I know,the title...but this Boogie is very good.

[@stephenroberts8964]

Some of Martin's favourite songs on each album are eyebrow raising. Id like to know if those tracks were always his favorites, or did he just grow sick of the obvious classics?

[@bernardgranite]

Martin with the 2 1980 Saxon albums ranked low....I don't get him.

[@markkaminski4496]

Yes he has a strange view on a lot of music, can not understand his loathing of Gary Moore's guitar sound , crazy.

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

@@bernardgranite totally agree. Sometimes i think he just says this stuff to get people going.

[@mjp8648]

Pretty much everybody has Iron Maiden at the top. But for me has to be Wheels of Steel and Strong Arm of the Law.

[@trach1]

Killers has finally surpassed POM for me. I feel it's aged so much better

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

It has yes, PoM while certainly a good album tumbles along like an iron weed...

[@frankies9465]

I love all of those Saxon albums. Denim and leather and strong arm of the law wpuld be higher on my list

[@jimekberg]

Exactly.

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

Right on! SAXON is full of personality and attitude. Love 'em through Power & The Glory.

[@brandonbelt5055]

Martin's preference for Phil Campbell era Motorhead over the Eddie Clark/Phil Taylor era is probably his single weirdest/contrarian take. Top five for me: 1) Piece of Mind 2) Killers 3) Iron Maiden 4) High n' Dry 5) Bomber

[@sandorfintor]

he's just WRONG and everybody knows it

[@ericrobertson2024]

I prefer the short Brian Robertson era and I like a few of the post 1984 albums but not at the level of those Clark albums.

[@NicholasPayne-uq2rt]

At first I thought Martin said modern Motorhead ruined his appreciation of the band overall which I agreed with until I realised he didn't mean that. For me the real band was up to No Remorse and Killed By Death the last great song. It got pretty ropey after that with Phil Taylor rejoining and then Lemmy moving to the USA.

[@brandonbelt5055]

@@NicholasPayne-uq2rt I enjoy the Cameron Webb production era of the band, but it doesn't beat the Bronze Records era. By a long shot.

[@Gregbaltzer]

I disagree with Martin on many things except how much Ram it Down sucks

[@jimmyjambhere]

Piece of Mind may be my favorite album of all time. The first 7 Maiden albums are untouchable 🔥🔥🔥I love every song

[@fitterstoke45]

The usual thought stimulating gig, guys - thank you. I'm with you about 'Killers', except that my respect for Bruce doesn't stop it from being comfortably my favourite Maiden album. I'm afraid that I can't regard Motorhead as a NWOBHM band so they don't figure in what I'll confine to a Top Five albums of the sub-genre but, for what it's worth, here it is: 1. Saxon 'Wheels of Steel' 2. Iron Maiden 'Killers' 3. Saxon 'Power and the Glory' 4. Def Leppard 'High 'n' Dry' 5. Saxon 'Strong Arm of the Law'

[@hardrockingtriviashow667]

For me, Motorhead pre-dates NWOBHM and Motorhead's members weren't as young as the rest of the scene was. Just my 2 cents!

[@seaoftranquilityprog]

All 4 bands were formed in 75 and 76.

[@markkaminski4496]

Exactly,, just had eps or albums released 1979, when the movement was formed. Are a heap more that if had made more of an impression would easier be in the top 4.

[@mechanicalanimal125]

Also agree about the later era Saxon and Motörhead is so good and rivals the initial era stuff.

[@user-re5zc2ss5h]

We all hear things differently but I still think Pyromania is about 90% High and Dry and only 10% Hysteria. It’s still a full on hard rock album that just happened to explode in popularity. It was written with Willis still in the band and came out in January 1983 so it certainly wasn’t influenced by the hair metal era, it was just about to start. I don’t know, I think it gets shit on a little too much these days. I was at the perfect age, I turned 15 in March 1983 and all my friends who listened to hard rock and metal had it. It had big hits but if anything Bringing on the Heartbreak from the previous record was more of a chick-bait ballad than anything on Pyromania. And Die Hard the Hunter alone might be my favorite DL song. Edited to clarify: I didn’t mean it got crapped on by Pete and Martin, I just mean in general when it comes up in these conversations most seem to diss it now.

[@treff9226]

Excellent analysis of Pyromania, echoed my thoughts exactly! Pyromania is still guitar heavy and most of it rocks with balls and attitude!

[@mechanicalanimal125]

So martins favorite album of the whole list and he doesn’t even own it?? He always makes me laugh with his crazy ways

[@drewrose374]

The albums of the individual bands ranking was pretty easy, ranking them all in order was hard! LOL! This era is where I found MY music! not my older brothers music or rock radio! well with that said... 18. Saxon 17. Motorhead 16. Iron Fist 15. Strong Arm Of The Law 14. Wheels Of Steel 13. Ace Of Spades 12. Pyromania 11. Bomber 10. Overkill 9. High N' Dry 8. Denim And Leather 7. Number Of The Beast 6. On Through The Night 5. Iron Maiden 4. Power And The Glory 3. Piece Of Mind 2. Another Perfect Day 1. Killers

[@aldebaran4154]

I agree with both of you on Killers. While listening to it last week I couldn't help thinking it may now be my favorite Iron Maiden album. Ides of March into Wrathchild is just breathtaking. And the rest of the album just keeps the greatness going.

[@JoltinJoe26]

Top 5 1 The Number of the Beast 2 Piece of Mind 3 High N Dry 4 Pyromania 5 Iron Maiden

[@darwinbeard4373]

Def Leppard said they were "Light Alloy".

[@brucybabyy7355]

1st 3 great! after that. sorry.

[@darwinbeard4373]

​@@brucybabyy7355I've got a lot of bands like that, Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, Ratt, etc

[@brianoakley980]

I went to see a GURL band, still unusual back then, in 1980..I was glad I did Free Trade Hall Manchester Girlschool were SO GOOD, they were on with Angelwitch and Tank? Their first 2 lps are stellar..I still play them, my 14 year old Grand-Daughter is a big fan! She loves Yeah Right

[@spaceace4387]

Out of the ones I’ve heard: 01) Number Of The Beast 02) Iron Maiden 03) Ace Of Spades 04) On Through The Night 05) Killers 06) Piece Of Mind 07) High n Dry 08) Pyromania 09) Overkill 10) Bomber 11) Wheels Of Steel 12) Strong Arm Of The Law 13) Denim And Leather 14) Another Perfect Day 15) Iron Fist 16) Motörhead

[@mrpositronia]

My top 5: 1. Piece of Mind. 2. Killers. 3. The Number of the Beast 4. Iron Maiden. 5. On Through the Night.

[@shotakuervo]

I remember seeing Iron Maiden "Killers" in the record store rack and the artwork stopping me in my tracks, not knowing anything about the band. Still my favorite Maiden album.

[@Hecatecrossways]

My favorite ' NWOBHM ' songs 😂😂😂 Black Sabbath - Neon Knights Iron Maiden - Gangland Motorhead - Iron Horse Led Zeppelin - In the Evening Judas Priest - Metal Gods Budgie - Melt the Ice UFO - the Writer Thin Lizzy - Cold Sweat 😂Get it ?????😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

TOP 5: #1 KILLERS (1981) absolutely brilliant! THE best Iron Maiden. Hypnotic, drug-like, powerful, punk energy metal classic! 2. Overkill (1979) 3. High 'N Dry (1981) 4. Piece Of Mind (1983) 5. The Power and The Glory (1983) Btw, Paul D. rules on KILLERS!! It's one of the best metal/punk vocal performances ever! The best music has an ability to make you feel like you're high on drugs, while totally straight. KILLERS...the songs, the playing, and Paul DiAnno's incredible, unhinged vocals do just that! Marc ⚡

[@ericrobertson2024]

Purgatory and the title track,hell the entire album is awesome.That was the Maiden lineup in studio and live for me.

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

​@@ericrobertson2024 absolutely! Purgatory, the unbelievable title track, Wrathchild, Murders in The Rue Morgue, Drifter, Innocent Exile, etc , etc. Man, it's all brilliant! And to this other guy here, about the production .. You are out of your mind, son! The production is perfection. The music, the arrangements, the vocals...it's all fantastic! *sorry, I got an update of another commenter's ridiculous tirade, and it somehow connected to mine here ??

[@ericrobertson2024]

@@user-yx8cx6bg1g The production is great,not so on the debut but the songs overcompensate.

[@katoholgersen1099]

Great show😀🇧🇻👍

[@oskarklang8616]

Overkill is my favourite album ever! Limb from Limb is underrated.I won’t pay your price and I’ll be your sister too.

[@graemeanderson-n9g]

notable shout out for diamond head...still love leps first one 'on through the night'...classic album artwork

[@starchild6347]

1: Ace Of Spades 2: Piece Of Mind 3: Overkill 4: Wheels Of Steel 5: Number Of The Beast

[@ericdinse5047]

As a fan of Motorhead, I see Iron Fist as an album that sounds like all the B sides from Ace of Spades, & I don't mean that in a bad way.

[@49TheWall]

1) Killers 2) Power and the Glory 3) Number of the Beast 4) Piece of Mind 5) Another Perfect Day Please remember Satan when you talk about the best overall NWOBHM albums. That band is so criminaly underrated!!

[@carlosdanger6129]

You may as well throw Whitesnake in there as well, they formed after Motorhead in 1978

[@matthewhipps3221]

But the thing is they weren’t a heavy metal band at the time. They were a blues-rock band. They didn’t really become a heavy metal band until 1987.

[@ajaybhalla-jl7el]

Agree. There is no way Motörhead is part of the NWOBHM and they never saw themselves part of that movement. You would need to be in the UK to appreciate that in the first place.

[@MartinPopoff]

I would think it would feel even be MORE like it in the UK. Sounds mag, gigs, shops... in what way were they NOT part of it, on the ground in 1980? Just 'cos Lemmy calls them a rock 'n' roll band?

[@laurenzgraffilpenstein8117]

Simple, they are around since 1975 and putted out LPs mid 70s

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

1. The Number of the Beast 2. Killers 3. Overkill 4. Strong Arm of the Law 5. Iron Fist 6. Bomber 7. Another Perfect Day 8. Piece of Mind 9. Denim and Leather 10. Ace of Spades 11. Wheels of Steel 12. Iron Maiden 13. Motorhead 14. On Through the Night 15. Power & The Glory 16. Pyromania 17. Saxon 18. High'n'Dry

[@gilbertgonzalez1365]

The way I described Killers is that is has street swagger, especially in the tittle track

[@paulh6673]

1. Killers 2. Ace of Spades 3. The Number of the Beast 4. Overkill 5. Piece of Mind 6. Iron Maiden 7. High n Dry 8. Pyromania 9. Iron Fist 10. Bomber 11. Strong Arm of the Law 12. Power and the Glory 13. Wheels of Steel 14. Another Perfect Day 15. Denim and Leather 16. On Through the Night 17. Motorhead 18. Saxon

[@tanktuba]

This is the first time I've been able to make a list of every album without having to listen to any of them. With the exception of the 1st Saxon album, the rest were in heavy rotation for years. I matched 4 picks each. My number one is TNOTB. It was the first metal album I heard, it's a before and after moment. And it's probably the greatest album cover ever. I'm with Martin on Motorhead, their last three albums are as enjoyable to me as any of the classic lineup records. Great show. Always more NWOBHM.

[@keithleeuwen877]

Just some info: Marseille were the first NWOBHM band to tour and have an album released in the United States through RCA Records. The band promoted their Marseille album on tour in the US with Nazareth and American south coast boogie band Blackfoot during the summer of 1980. Wonder if anyone else has ever discovered them, sorry not related to top 4.

[@geoffbanton4049]

I like Marseille Neil Buchanan was the main guy he had a childrens tv show called Art Attack here in the uk and sold the rights to the USA for millions True story

[@keithleeuwen877]

@@geoffbanton4049 Thanks for sharing !

[@Kenneth-fk3py]

Marseille excellent!! Well, not their first album Red White & Slightly Blue on Carrere records. But the follow-up S/T album was excellent. My buddies and I rocked out to that daily (especially their greatest tune "Lady of the Night"). I saw them at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on that Nazareth tour with Blackfoot (3rd row floors). Unfortunately, no further backing etc. and they all but dropped out of sight. A good album a few years later with Sav Pearce on vocals but Neil Buchanan had already left to do the Art Attack show by then. Keep Rockin'!!

[@keithleeuwen877]

@@Kenneth-fk3py Good Deal !

[@markkaminski4496]

Yes I agree.

[@GordonHeaney]

I really like Iron Fist, I agree, it's no where near as bad as people say. It was also the first Motorhead album I heard, which explains it a little

[@ericrobertson2024]

First Motorhead song I heard was Iron Fist on a PBS show called RockSchool lol also first time I heard Gary Moore.

[@social191]

1) Iron Maiden-Iron Maiden (1980) 2) Saxon-Wheels of Steel (1980) 3) Motörhead-Bomber (1979) 4) Motörhead-Overklll (1979) 5) Saxon-Denim and Leather (1981) 6) Iron Maiden-Killers (1981)

[@jimekberg]

1. Overkill 2. Ace of Spades 3. Strong Arm of the Law 4. Wheels of Steel 5. Power & the Glory 6. The Number of the Beast 7. Piece of Mind 8. Another Perfect Day 9. Bomber 10. Denim and Leather 11. Iron Fist 12. Killers 13. Motörhead 14. Pyromania 15. High 'n' Dry 16. Iron Maiden 17. On Through the Night 18. Saxon 19. On Parole

[@adnilrummut105]

1. motörhead - overkill 2. iron maiden - killers 3. iron maiden - piece of mind 4. saxon - power and glory 5. motörhead - ace of spades 6. iron maiden - the number of the beast 7. saxon - strong arm of the law

[@oskarklang8616]

Killers is fantastic.Prodigal son and The instrumentals are so good.Piece of Mind is the greatest album by The Irons though.

[@marilyncatterall402]

I disagree with Tygers Of Pan Tang being a big drop after these four ...... In 1981, they released both Spellbound and Crazy Nights, and if Def Lpeppard are allowed to be judged on their first 2 albums, and Saxon are termed "big", then the Tygers are right up there. I know it's all "ifs and buts", but imagine what they might have achieved if John Sykes had stayed.

[@49TheWall]

So many excellent points by the two professors of rock! Too bad you didn't include live albums because No Sleep is easily the best of that bunch!

[@shaunfulton7261]

It's a load of old rubbish, they don't fully understand the NWOBHM. Motorhead aren't a NWOBHM band.

[@meglomania2001]

Still got my "killers" tour t shirt 😊

[@Hecatecrossways]

My favorite Songs From the Featured Albums 1. Saxon - Backs To the Wall 2. Iron Maiden - Gangland 3. Motorhead - Keep Us On the Road 4. Saxon - 20,000 Feet 5. Def Leppard - When the Walls Came Tumbling Down 6. Motorhead - Iron Horse 7. Iron Maiden - Phantom of the Opera 8. Motorhead - Metropolis 9. Iron Maiden - Invaders 10. Def Leppard - Answer to the Master 11. Motorhead - Lawman 12. Def Leppard - Let it Go ( interesting rhythm guitar techniques) 13. Iron Maiden - Quest For Fire 14. Motorhead - Jailbait 15. Def Leppard - Foolin 16. Iron Maiden - 22 Acacia Avenue 17. Saxon - Princess of the Night 18. Iron Maiden - Where Eagles Dare

[@markmagronesr5718]

This was my Era , although the sound and image evolved into a commercialized one- On through the Night- was a perfect NWOBHM album from start to finish not a bad song - very UFO Schenker Influenced Still reach for it !

[@whitey7998]

Please do more of these NWOBHM shows guys.

[@sotdude7]

More coming!

[@user-yx8cx6bg1g]

Guys, good lists and all, but I think you're slighting (esp. Martin) SAXON. They were full of personality and attitude! And throughout '79-'83, there's a BUNCH of really good, memorable songs! Pete gets it with Saxon. But to both of you, the Saxon "debut" features that killer opening of Rainbow Theme/Frozen Rainbow 🌀🌈. How could ANY Rock fan not love that?!? Plus, its also got Stallions Of The Highway, Judgement Day and the underrated Still Fit To Boogie. Not saying the debut is a "great" LP, or that it competes with the subsequent records through Power & The Glory, but I AM saying that you guys, and most others, are putting it off as if it doesn't matter. It's better than that. The other 4 Saxons are all really good to excellent! Btw, KILLERS (1981) by Iron Maiden is the #1 choice for this. Stunningly excellent, cohesive, brilliant album. Every song is fantastic! And you cannot say that about the other Maiden LPs that surround this absolute classic ... KILLERS 🔥 ML

[@newrockerman]

These bands were also excellent live, I was there are many gigs. There was nothing coming over from the USA at the time that could offer as much for the young UK metal fan like me.

[@Hecatecrossways]

I can't believe that they both ranked the Saxon debut so low on the list. Stallions of the Highway , Backs to the Wall, and Frozen Rainbow were absolutely brilliant well crafted songs. Big Teaser was a terribly corny song, but the rest of the album was great Classic NWOBHM.

[@mjp8648]

I agree. The problem I feel is the terrible production, even for the period it was recorded. Some of their demo versions sound better! I love that each track sounds different (from each other) but is still sounds like the same band.

[@kimmohietala5359]

Killers was the first album I bought.

[@markbateman9222]

Motorhead always strongly denied being a "metal" band. Lemmy always insisted that they were a"rock n' roll band" and introduced the band on stage as such.

[@MartinPopoff]

He was wrong. Crossed with just trying to get a rise.

[@markkaminski4496]

As I've mentioned as well., pretty much every time they played he said that, so do not belong in there period

[@DiamondKing666]

This is the hardest one yet, i love all of them and dont know if this is my Final Ranking, since most of them are pretty interchangeble for me. 1 High n dry 2 Strong arm of the law 3 Piece of mind 4 Number of the Beast 5 Pyromania 6 Iron fist 7 Power and the glory 8 Iron Maiden 9 Overkill 10 on through the Night 11 Killers 12 wheels of Steel 13 Ace of spades 14 Denim and Leather 15 Bomber 16 anorher Perfect day 17 Motorhead 18 Saxon

[@ericrobertson2024]

I liked the later Venom albums much more than the Raven,Motorhead, Leppard and Maiden so Venom are actually the NWOBHM band I like most...I never would've predicted that in the late 80s after Possessed + Calm Before The Storm lol

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Venom hold a special place in my heart, they're chaotic yet 'melodic'... lol

[@ericrobertson2024]

@@LarryFleetwood8675 Venom and Venom Inc still making enjoyable albums , while the others just didn't... Mantas + Cronos in for the marathon,not the sprint..Still hoping for that Abba collaboration LMAO

[@63mckenzie]

I remember when Motorhead first started they were being thrown in with the punk bands.

[@neonknight821]

Motörhead - "Iron Fist" isn't a great opener? I couldn't disagree with you more, Martin............ and Pete putting Def Leppard - Pyromania at number 16............ that hurt

[@MartinPopoff]

Like I said above, no riff, crap trundle-ending punctuation chords. Actually no chorus too, right? Underwritten.

[@markkaminski4496]

Yes not there best but title opening track is a full in yourr face a storner of a track.

[@ianscholes3049]

They also missed out the importance of Neil Kay and The Heavy Metal Soundhouse which played a major role in the development of NWOBHM.

[@jorgemaria3624]

Damned flies always in these shows, but never the less good rankings

[@rocketrod1444]

My Big Four ...... Maiden ... Saxon ... Tygers Of Pan Tang ... Raven . Whatever spin you put on it Motorhead aren't Metal , they play rock n roll .... 😗

[@shaunfulton7261]

What do you mean 'my' big four? Def Leppard are far bigger than Tygers and Raven. Do you mean your favourites?

[@thekivster]

Maybe Motörhead could be Proto-NWOBHM. They’re part of it but not fully.

[@independenceltd.]

1st wave - Sabbath, Zeppelin, Purple, Heep 2nd wave - Priest, Lizzy, UFO 3rd wave - Motorhead, Rainbow, Gillan NWOBHM - Maiden, Saxon, Leppard, etc.

[@shaunfulton7261]

Pre - NWOBHM. Definitely not part of it, but prominent during the period.

[@metaldams78]

My issue is not only was Lemmy in Hawkwind, but he also had a hit with the Rockin Vicars covering The Kinks as far back as the British Invasion! On the other end of the spectrum, no doubt Motorhead musically and attitude wise fit in with NWOBHM

[@NealeTurner]

They started it.

[@Hecatecrossways]

I think that Saxon - Backs to the Wall from the 1979 self titled Saxon album should be considered the greatest Heavy Metal song of all time.

[@aaronsteelman4732]

Martin has repeatedly said that if he had to pick his best NWOBHM albums, seven or so of the top ten would be from Maiden or Leppard. In this video, only four bands have been considered. Yet, that math still doesn’t work. When bands with smaller discographies are counted, I’d like to hear Martin’s overall top ten NWOBHM records. Perhaps that could be done next Friday.

[@franciskocher200]

Nice video...

[@bernardgranite]

Quest for Fire is a good song. Bruce singing a bit awkward but from 1:54 till end it's the sound of Maiden that we all love.v

[@kennbrown4638]

1. Iron Maiden: Piece of Mind 2. Def Leppard: Pyromania 3. Motorhead: Ace of Spades 4. Saxon: Denim & Leather 5. Def Leppard: High & Dry 6. Saxon: Power & the Glory 7. Moorhead: Overkill 8. Iron Maiden: Number of the Beast 9. Saxon: Wheels of Steel 10. Motorhead: Bomber 11. Def Leppard: On Through the Night 12. Iron Maiden: self-titled 13. Iron Maiden: Killers 14. Saxon: self-titled 15. Motorhead: Another Perfect Day 16. Saxon: Strong Arm of the Law 17. Motorhead: Iron Fist 18. Motorhead: On Parole

[@csababarath2784]

I always thought that the big 4 of NWOBHM are Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Venom, Saxon. Motorhead I love to death, but they always were doing their thing, and that wasn't really Heavy Metal. Def Leppard were too poppy for being considered by me here. But, that's just me.

[@beetlebum7760]

1. IRON MAIDEN - IRON MAIDEN 2. MOTÖRHEAD - Overkill 3. IRON MAIDEN - Piece Of Mind 4. IRON MAIDEN - The Number Of The Beast 5. MOTÖRHEAD - Ace Of Spades 6. IRON MAIDEN - Killers 7. MOTÖRHEAD - Bomber 8. MOTÖRHEAD - On Parole 9. SAXON - Wheels Of Steel 10. SAXON - Strong Arm Of The Law 11. MOTÖRHEAD - Another Perfect Day 12. MOTÖRHEAD - Iron Fist 13. DEF LEPPARD - On Through The Night 14. SAXON - Power And The Glory 15. SAXON - Denim And Leather 16. DEF LEPPARD - High n Dry 17. DEF LEPPARD - Pyrimania 18. SAXON - Saxon

[@laurenzgraffilpenstein8117]

Propably Diamond Head will fit someshere a bit in

[@pablodapeckerhead9902]

Aa others have said, its rewriting history to call Motirhead a NWOBHM band. Never were and never will be.

[@shaunfulton7261]

At least spell it correctly. 🙄

[@pablodapeckerhead9902]

My bad!

[@stephenroberts8964]

Iron Fist doesn't have a good opener 😮 Martin...really?

[@MartinPopoff]

Absolutely. No riff. It just trundles, and those three punctuating chords suck. F that song.

[@stephenroberts8964]

​@@MartinPopoffthanks for your reply Martin I'm honored. We don't agree, but hey that's what it's all about right. F that song? Haha cheers.

[@ericrobertson2024]

First Motorhead song I heard and still my favorite,but Another Perfect Day is my favorite album.

[@markkaminski4496]

No good opener wtf, yes the album was not as good as Bomber and Overkill, but Iron Fist track is right in your face.

[@scottricci5063]

Pyromania is the exact moment-in-time marker my girlfriend and sisters started borrowing my Def Leppard albums.

[@srvuk]

If you listen to Gangland though the eyes of it potentially being a track written during the Dianno era, I think that you will enjoy it even more because it has elements of old an new Maiden. Strictly speaking, Motorhead came way before the NWOBM name was created but I get why they are on the list because to many, they were new at the time. I don't get all the love for In Through The Night because it is rather weak, with only Rocks Off being really great. It may have been aimed at he American market, which might explain why they spent a lo of time across the pond, being labelled as sell-outs to quite a few fans at the time. Likewise, although High and Dry has some stone cold classics, tracks like You Got Me Runnin, Lady Strange, On Through the Night, Mirror, Mirror (Look into My Eyes) and No No No (the whole of the second side) are rather weak in comparison with the majesty of side 1. Pyromania is where thigs really took off with a petty much perfect album, chock full of never lift the needle tracks. In the UK we also had an additional Motorhead album, On Parole (1979), which was released by the fist label without permission and has some tracks from the first album and some not featured elsewhere at the time.

[@markhuntington9149]

Don’t get me wrong, I love Killers but I don’t get the love it receives over the debut. I have it no better than 5 in my top five Maidens with the debit at 1. The songs on the first album are better, just that first side alone is to die for. I do agree with High N Dry’s high ranking though as that is an all time favorite from any band of any genre for me

[@kevinbrown1893]

1. Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind 2. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast 3. Iron Maiden - Killers 4. Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden 5. Saxon - Strong Arm of the Law 6. Saxon - Denim and Leather 7. Saxon - Wheels of Steel 8. Saxon - Power & the Glory 9. Def Leppard - High 'n' Dry 10. Motorhead - Ace of Spades 11. Motorhead - Overkill 12. Def Leppard - On Through the Night 13. Def Leppard - Pyromania 14. Motorhead - Iron Fist 15. Motorhead - Another Perfect Day 16. Motorhead - Motorhead 17. Saxon - Saxon 18. Motorhead - Bomber 19. Motorhead - On Parole

[@DrJimmy88]

I love Iron Maiden but Motörhead is supreme in this arena for me. I listen to Motörhead wayyyy more than any of these other bands, except Def Leppard which I just don't listen to. I just saw Saxon on tour with Uriah Heep. Both bands were incredible. That said I tried to give a reasonable top 10, but it's all Motörhead and Maiden lol. Real #1 No Sleep 'til Hammersmith 1. Another Perfect Day 2. Overkill 3. Ace Of Spades 4. Iron Fist 5. Piece Of Mind 6. Number Of The Beast 7. Motörhead 8. Bomber 9. Killers 10. Iron Maiden

[@bernardgranite]

Killers....Ace of Spades....Wheels of Steel...High n Dry The best from each band

[@AlexDizzys]

This is interesting 1. Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind 2. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast 3. Saxon - Strong Arm of the Law 4. Saxon - Power and the Glory 5. Motorhead - Overkill 6. Def Leppard - Pyromania 7. Def Leppard - High and Dry 8. Saxon - Denim and Leather 9. Motorhead - Iron Fist 10. Motorhead - Ace of Spades 11. Motorhead - Bomber 12. Saxon - Wheels of Steel 13. Iron Maiden - Killers 14. Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden 15. Def Leppard - On Through the Night 16. Saxon - Saxon 17. Motorhead - Motorhead

[@dtltmtgt]

1 Number of the Beast Iron Maiden 82 2 Pyromania Def Leppard 83 3 Overkill Motorhead 79 4 Piece of Mind Iron Maiden 83 5 High N' Dry Def Leppard 81 6 Ace of Spades Motorhead 80 7 Killers Iron Maiden 81 8 Iron Maiden Iron Maiden 80 9 Denim and Leather Saxon 81 10 The Power & the Glory Saxon 83 11 Bomber Motorhead 79 12 Wheels of Steel Saxon 80 13 Strong Arm of the Law Saxon 80 14 Iron Fist Motorhead 82 15 Motorhead Motorhead 77 16 On Through the Night Def Leppard 80 17 Another Perfect Day Motorhead 83 18 Saxon Saxon 79

[@vplexico]

“Photograph is the only song I don’t like on here” hahahahaha that’s the best song they ever did.

[@mrpositronia]

I always see TNOTB as the last NWOBHM Maiden album. Piece of Mind transcends the movement, in my opinion. It's like a butterfly unfurling its wings for the first time.

[@shaunfulton7261]

NWOBHM isn't a genre. If you were part of the wave you're a NWOBHM act forever, regardless of sound or style.

[@kamranmalik8546]

1. Iron Maiden- The Number of the Beast 2. Iron Maiden- Piece of Mind 3. Motörhead- Ace of Spades 4. Def Leppard- Pyromania 5. Motörhead- Overkill 6. Iron Maiden- Killers 7. Saxon- Wheels of Steel 8. Motörhead- Bomber 9. Iron Maiden 10. Def Leppard- High 'n' Dry 11. Motörhead- Iron Fist 12. Saxon- Denim and Leather 13. Saxon- Power and the Glory 14. Motörhead 15. Motörhead- Another Perfect Day 16. Def Leppard- On Through the Night 17. Saxon- Strong Arm of the Law 18. Saxon

[@Almeida5]

18. Saxon - Saxon 17. Motorhead - Motorhead 16. Motorhead - Iron Fist 15. Saxon - Power and the Glory 14. Motorhead - Bomber 13. Saxon - Strong Arm of the Law 12. Saxon - Denim & Leather 11. Motorhead - Another Perfect Day 10. Def Leppard - On Through the Night 09. Iron Maiden - Piece of Mind 08. Saxon - Wheels of Steel 07. Motorhead - Ace of Spades 06. Iron Maiden - Killers 05. Def Leppard - High 'N Dry 04. Iron Maiden - The Number of the Beast 03. Motorhead - Overkill 02. Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden 01. Def Leppard - Pyromania

[@joejohnson-vv6ip]

1. Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind 2. Iron Maiddn - Killers 3. Iron Maiden - Iron Maiden 4. Iron Maiden - The Number Of The Beast 5. Motorhead - Ace Of Spades

[@markwoolner9598]

No way Motorhead was or ever were a part of the new wave of British Heavy metal. And the movement was 79 to 81 not 77 to 83. Brush up on your history guys!

[@Hecatecrossways]

@@markwoolner9598 Usually it's people labeling mid to late 1980s albums as NWOBHM, as far as I am concerned NWOBHM began with the 1979 single Trespass - One of These Days c/w Bloody Moon, and ended with the release of Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast

[@stevefletcher6163]

These bands started before 79, Roundhouse tapes were recorded in 78, Saxon were around before then. NWOBHM,wasn’t really a movement it was a headline made up by Sounds in 79 to talk about an group of bands some young some a bit older but musically all different, Leppard Maiden Saxon, Samson,Toad the wet sprocket, Tygers of Pan Tang,Trespass, praying Mantis, even Magnum and Motorhead were thrown in all very different.

[@Kenneth-fk3py]

Another great show gents! I, as many, am big on the Tygers of Pan Tang as a pillar of the NWOBHM movement but do understand your stance with Motorhead in one of the slots here. Well here's my list on this topic: 1. Def Leppard - High N' Dry 2. Saxon - Power & The Glory 3. Def Leppard - On Through The Night 4. Iron Maiden - Killers 5. Def Leppard - Pyromania 6. Saxon - Denim And Leather 7. Iron Maiden - Piece Of Mind 8. Saxon - Wheels Of Steel 9. Iron Maiden - Number Of The Beast 10. Saxon - Strong Arm Of The Law 11. Motorhead - Ace Of Spades 12. Iron Maiden - S/T 13. Motorhead - Another Perfect Day 14. Motorhead - Overkill 15. Motorhead - Bomber 16. Motorhead - Iron Fist 17. Saxon - S/T 18. Motorhead - S/T Can tell I've never been the biggest Motorhead fan and that Def Leppard were my greatest "discovery band" back when no one knew who they were in 1980! Sadly they didn't retain the same drive in the following years (although their pocket books say otherwise, LOL!). Again great show! Keep Rockin'!!

[@mulicuy]

"The Number of the Beast" is the best of these albums. Not as consistent as "Killers," but the highs are just too high. Funny trivia about "Gangland:" apparently it was such a toss-off that they forgot to have Dave record a solo after Adrian's. Listen to that empty space for about 8 bars 🤣That said, it's still better than "Quest for Fire."

[@LarryFleetwood8675]

Probably the best metal album of all times.

[@mirko1382]

1 Iron Maiden Iron Maiden 2 Iron Maiden Piece of Mind 3 Motorhead Overkill 4 Motorhead Ace of Spade 5 Iron Maiden Number of the Beast 6 Saxon Denim & Leather 7 Saxon Power & the Glory 8 Motorhead Bomber 9 Iron Maiden Killers 10 Motorhead Another Perfect Day 11 Saxon Wheels of Steel 12 Def Leppard Pyromania 13 Saxon Strong Arm of the Law 14 Def Leppard High N Dry 15 Motorhead Iron Fist 16 Def Leppard On Through the Night 17 Motorhead Motorhead 18 Saxon Saxon

[@Hecatecrossways]

My least favorite tracks from these albums mentioned ( although I agree that Motorhead were too early for NWOBHM timeline, especially considering that they recorded their original debut ( although shelved for years) with Peter Willis from Metal band Pink Fairies) in 1975 1. Def Leppard - Me and My Wine😂Me and My Whine😂 2. Saxon - Teaser 3. Iron Maiden - Another Life 4. Motorhead - Ace of Spades 5. Def Leppard - Action Not Words 6. Motorhead - Bomber 7. Motorhead - Motorhead 8. Def Leppard - Rock of Ages 9. Iron Maiden - Run To the Hills 10. Saxon - Dallas 1 PM 11. Motorhead - Stay Clean , later re recorded as Mean Machine just as boring) yes I have the ability to spell simple words correctly 12. Iron Maiden - Sanctuary 13. Motorhead - Bite the Bullet 14. Def Leppard - Hello America 15. Iron Maiden - Run To the Hills 16. Motorhead - Step Down 17. Iron Maiden - Purgatory 18. Def Leppard - Bringing On the Heartburn

[@meloralovesdarkness2495]

As far as SAXON goes.. for me is The Power & Glory and then Long arm of the Law, then Denim & Leather. Iron Maiden is Killers, Iron Maiden, Piece of Mind, Powerslave! The other 2 bands I Love but can not rank right now.