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I was listening recently to a collection of metal tracks by various groups taken from the 70's and 80s and the memories came rushing back of just how great it was back then. Is there any doubt that there was no better time to be growing up as a metal fan? The foundations were laid during its infancy with those killer albums by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and others in the 70's. Metal music continued to evolve into different and heavier sub genres really hitting its stride in the 80's. Another major plus was due the popularity I didn't have to order in my favorite albums as they would be readily available in local music stores on both vinyl and cassette and then CD.
The debate goes on as to whether some of the prominent 70's groups were actually playing heavy metal or hard rock, but then again so many did and still do incorporate aspects of both. Nonetheless their impact on the heavier genre can't be discounted as these band inspired others to get on board so to speak. As it exploded in popularity there was some controversy as not everyone was on board but this only served to increase that exposure. Sure we still get those standout recordings today but in comparison how many will be considered "classics" ? When you think of classic metal albums the 70's and 80's are the periods that gave us all those unforgettable and highly influential albums. So many of those major bands from that era are still enthusiastically powering onwards with enticing new metal albums and subsequent tours but they aren't getting any younger as are their long term fans. As a result while there's still plenty of the past that features in many new albums I do wonder where the kind of metal they attracted us to the genre in the first place will be in another twenty plus year's time? Meanwhile I'll still be listening to the music that's been such a large part of my life, sharing it with others and remembering how lucky I was to experience that time.
Scott Jessup
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