new wave of traditional heavy metal

The N.W.O.T.H.M. initially started in the mid-2000s with a number of bands, such as Cauldron, Skull Fist, and Enforcer, who began to write and record music that reflected the style and sound of classic heavy metal. These bands combined elements of the metal genres from the '70s and '80s, especially those of the N.W.O.B.H.M., although some bands are also influenced from genres such as speed metal, power metal and hard rock.

While the overall movement's focus was placed on replicating both the sound and success of traditional heavy metal, many of the early N.W.O.T.H.M bands also incorporated noticeable influence from more melodic mainstream rock and alternative genres. However, by the mid-2010s, the movement took a shift in its creative direction, growing into a substantial underground scene with a less commercial, more gritty sound.{{Cite web |last=Cram |first=Preston |date=2021-03-25 |title=What Is NWOTHM? 12 Must-Hear Bands from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal |url=https://www.prestoncram.com/post/what-is-nwothm-12-must-hear-bands-from-the-new-wave-of-traditional-heavy-metal |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=Preston Cram |language=en}}

{{Further|Heavy metal subculture}}

The N.W.O.T.H.M. takes on a lot of the culture surrounding traditional metal music, as it does with its sound. Attire and appearance typically associated with heavy metal music, such as long hair, leather jackets/vests, and tattoos, are present in the N.W.O.T.H.M. movement.{{Cite book|last=Weinstein|first=Deena|title=Heavy Metal: The Music And Its Culture, Revised Edition|publisher=Da Capo Press|year=2000|isbn=978-0-306-80970-5|pages=294, 35, 26}} Gestures, movements, and behaviors such as headbanging{{Cite web|url=http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861616918/headbang.html|title=headbang definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta|date=2010-04-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100423132657/http://encarta.msn.com/dictionary_1861616918/headbang.html|access-date=2020-02-07|archive-date=2010-04-23}} are also common at concerts and live performances.

{{Further|Heavy metal lyrics}}

The lyrical themes found in the music of N.W.O.T.H.M. bands can vary greatly, but often include themes of fantasy, war, the supernatural, and the occult. These elements take on dark and sometimes aggressive undertones,{{Cite book|last=Cope|first=Andrew L.|title=Black Sabbath and the Rise of Heavy Metal Music|publisher=Ashgate Publishing Ltd.|year=2010|pages=139}} and are not typically lighthearted in nature; the music often puts emphasis on lyrics that deal with "dark and depressing subject matter to an extent hitherto unprecedented".Hatch and Millward (1989), p. 167

In line with its identity as a revival of traditional metal, the N.W.O.T.H.M. combines and incorporates elements of speed metal, power metal, and the N.W.O.B.H.M. It makes use of distorted guitars{{Cite book|last=Walser|first=Robert|title=Running with the Devil: Power, Gender, and Madness in Heavy Metal Music|publisher=Wesleyan University Press|year=1993|isbn=0-8195-6260-2|pages=10}} with music largely built around melodies and guitar riffs. Power chords see heavy use, and songs usually have instrumental bridges and guitar solos. Drumming is typically loud and dense, with fast and steady beats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.moderndrummer.com/2006/08/chris-adler/|title=Lamb of God's Chris Adler: More Than Meets The Eye|date=2006-08-17|website=Modern Drummer Magazine|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-07}} The vocals are essential to the heavy metal sound; in the case of the N.W.O.T.H.M., vocals are almost exclusively clean, and like in most traditional heavy metal, are loud, intense and powerful. Open display of emotion through the tone of the vocals is considered to be an essential piece of the musical quality, sometimes said to be more important to the music than the lyrics themselves.

This is a list of NWOTHM bands.

• Black Moor{{cite web |title=Black Moor |url=https://www.nolifetilmetal.com/blackmoore.html |website=nolifetilmetal.com |publisher=No Life Til Metal |access-date=2021-09-10}}
• Cauldron
• Crystal Viper{{Cite web |date=2020-09-03 |title=Crystal Viper - New Album!|url=https://kronosmortusnews.com/2019/09/03/crystal-viper-new-album/|access-date=2023-03-05|website=KronosMortusNews}}
• Diemonds{{Cite web |date=2023-01-17 |title=20 Canadian New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal Bands.|url=https://www.metalsucks.net/2023/01/17/20-canadian-new-wave-of-traditional-heavy-metal-bands/|access-date=2023-02-14|website=Metal Sucks}}
• Enforcer{{Cite web |date=2021-08-11 |title=The New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal: Pt.1 |url=https://www.metalhalloffame.org/the-new-wave-of-traditional-heavy-metal-pt-1/ |access-date=2022-08-24 |website=Metal Hall of Fame}}
• Eternal Champion{{Cite web |date=2021-01-12 |title=Eternal Champion - The Armor of Ire |url=https://www.metal-archives.com/reviews/Eternal_Champion/The_Armor_of_Ire/982403 |access-date=2021-01-12 |website=Encyclopaedia Metallum |language=en}}
• Grand Magus{{Cite web |last=Phoenician |first=The |date=2020-02-20 |title=Traditional Heavy Metal Revival: Top 7 Awesome Bands of NWOTHM |url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/articles/features/traditional_heavy_metal_revival_top_7_awesome_bands_of_nwothm-103349 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Ultimate Guitar |language=en}}
• Haunt{{Cite web |date=2020-06-24 |title=Album Review: Haunt – Flashback|url=https://nattskog.wordpress.com/2020/06/24/album-review-haunt-flashback/|access-date=2023-03-05|website=Nattskog Wordpress}}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-15 |title=Tailgunner and the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal.|url=https://sun-13.com/2022/09/15/defending-the-faith-tailgunner-and-the-new-wave-of-traditional-heavy-metal/|access-date=2023-02-17|website=Sun 13}}
• Icarus Witch{{cite web |url=http://www.knac.com/article.asp?ArticleID=30311 |title = KNAC.com - Reviews - Icarus Witch 'Goodbye Cruel World'}}
• Kryptos
• Night Demon
• Redshark{{Cite web |date=2021-03-25 |title=NWOTHM act Redshark joins Iron Oxide Records, "Evil Realm" Out in June!|url=https://kronosmortusnews.com/2021/03/25/nwothm-act-redshark-joins-iron-oxide-records-evil-realm-expanded-edition-out-in-june/|access-date=2023-02-14|website=KronosMortusNews}}
• Roadwolf
• Skull Fist{{Cite web |date=2022-11-05 |title=Skull Fist: 'Paid in Full'.|url=https://sleazeroxx.com/reviews/skull-fist-paid-in-full/|access-date=2023-02-16|website=Sleazy Roxx}}
• Spirit Adrift{{Cite web |date=2023-09-15 |title=Spirit Adrift: 'Ghost at The Gallows'.|url=https://thenwothm.com/2023/09/15/review-spirit-adrift-ghost-at-the-gallows/|access-date=2025-03-10|website=The NWOTHM}}
• Striker
• Tailgunner
• White Wizzard{{Cite web |last=Cram |first=Preston |date=2021-03-25 |title=What Is NWOTHM? 12 Must-Hear Bands from the New Wave of Traditional Heavy Metal |url=https://www.prestoncram.com/post/what-is-nwothm-12-must-hear-bands-from-the-new-wave-of-traditional-heavy-metal |access-date=2022-03-01 |website=Preston Cram |language=en}}
• Wolf{{Cite web |last=Plug |first=Ralph |date=2022-06-08 |title=Wolf - Shadowland |url=https://soundsfromthedarkside.com/2022/06/08/wolf-shadowland |access-date=2022-06-08 |website=Sounds From the Dark Side |language=en}}
• Wytch Hazel

• New wave of classic rock

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Category:Heavy metal genres