Denim and Leather: The Rise and Fall of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) was a musical movement that changed the world, leading to the development of thrash metal, death metal, and black metal. This book gathers together all the principals of British heavy rock's most fertile period, telling their stories of hubris and disaster, ambition and success, and how a group of unlikely looking blokes from the provinces changed heavy music forever.

Format: Hardback
Length: 480 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

In the late 1970s, a vibrant and youthful wave of bands emerged across Britain, driven by an aggressive spirit and a desire to break free from conventional musical norms. Independent labels sprouted up, eager to release the music of these emerging artists. However, this narrative does not revolve around punk; it is a story of a much more significant musical movement: the New Wave of British Heavy Metal.

The New Wave of British Heavy Metal, abbreviated as NWOBHM, was a seismic shift in the world of metal that left an indelible mark on its subsequent development. It emerged as a powerful force, with streams that would flow through various subgenres of metal, shaping its course. Without NWOBHM, the landscape of metal would be vastly different. There would be no thrash metal, no death metal, no black metal. The rise of iconic bands like Iron Maiden, who spearheaded the charge into South America and South Asia, would have been slower. The international uniform of heavy metal, characterized by the iconic battle jacket adorned with patches (often sewn on by the wearer's mother), would not exist.

The NWOBHM bands, including Def Leppard, Motorhead, Judas Priest, Diamond Head, and many others, played a pivotal role in shaping the heavy metal landscape. Their music, characterized by a fusion of hard rock and heavy metal, resonated with audiences worldwide, and their influence can be heard in the music of countless bands that followed. Denim and leather, as famously described by Saxon, became the symbol of unity among heavy metal enthusiasts, bringing together people from different backgrounds and cultures.

In Denim and Leather, a remarkable book that has gathered together all the principal figures of British heavy rock's most fertile period, these stars tell their own stories, sharing brilliant, funny tales of hubris and disaster, ambition and success. Through their narratives, the book charts the remarkable journey of a group of unlikely-looking blokes from the provinces, clad in spandex trousers, who changed heavy music forever. The book delves into the social and cultural context of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when NWOBHM emerged as a force to be reckoned with. It explores the impact of the music on the lives of the musicians, the fans, and the broader society, and sheds light on the challenges and triumphs that accompanied this musical revolution.

This is the definitive story about the greatest days of British heavy rock. It is a tribute to the bands, the musicians, and the fans who embraced the NWOBHM movement and helped shape its course. Denim and Leather serves as a testament to the power of music to inspire, transform, and leave an indelible mark on the world.

Weight: 756g
Dimension: 217 x 242 x 46 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472134080