Where to Start?

In restarting the history of metal blogs, I decided to start with 1980.  While that seems somewhat random, it was well thought out.  There are several reasons for this demarcation.

First and foremost is the NWOBHM.  Although a few acts (Saxon, Samson, Quartz, etc.) had earlier releases, several major bands had debuts this year - Iron Maiden, Fist, Angel Witch, Diamond Head, Tygers of Pan Tang to name a couple.

Also, I have found that the line between hard rock and metal gets fuzzier the further you go back.  So, in 1980, I am considering things like Rush, Michael Schenker and AC/DC in the same category as Iron Maiden, Motörhead, and Judas Priest.  As time passed, the lines between rock and metal became more defined as the music became more extreme.  If you go further back than 1980, the line becomes even more blurred and you start considering Aerosmith and ZZ Top.

Finally, 1980 is a nice round number, and a seemingly good place to start.

So, for the last week or so, I have been listening to nothing but 1980 albums (except for the new Subterranean Masquerade album, brilliant by the way). I have been surprised by some of the things I have been hearing, mostly The Rods and Angel Witch are not as horrible as I remember them.