Genre
new wave of speed metal
Top New wave of speed metal Artists
About New wave of speed metal
New Wave of Speed Metal is a fan-coined label for a revival current that reawakens the blistering tempo and razor-edged riffing of early 1980s speed metal, while applying contemporary production and a renewed sense of songcraft. It isn’t as universally defined as NWOBHM or the broader metal revivals, but among enthusiasts it describes a coherent, transatlantic impulse: bands chasing the adrenaline rush of speed metal—short, sharp, and aggressively melodic—without losing sight of modern dynamics and musicianship. The movement grew out of underground scenes in the United States and Europe, gained traction through DIY releases, small labels, and eager fans, and gradually spread to clubs and festival stages worldwide.
Origins and timeline: The late 1990s to early 2000s saw a renewed hunger for vintage speed metal among listeners who craved speed without the opacity of some extreme subgenres. Bands and scene-builders embraced the ethos of 80s speed metal—rapid-fire riffs, concise song lengths, twin-lead guitar lines—yet insisted on polished production and technical precision. This milieu relied on online communities, reissues, and modest indie labels that kept the sound alive between mainstream metal trends. By the late 2000s and into the 2010s, a recognizable cohort of bands began shaping what fans call the New Wave of Speed Metal: fast, hook-driven, and surgically tight.
Sonic profile and aesthetics: Expect high-velocity tempos, tremolo-picked bursts, and relentless rhythm guitar driving compact, power-chord-driven verses. Vocals tend to be urgent and piercing, balancing aggression with melodic lines. Guitar harmonies and dual-lead work—reminiscent of classic speed metal—anchor the music even as production becomes crisper and louder in the modern era. While rooted in speed, many bands weave thrash- or melodic-metal textures into the mix, creating a hybrid that preserves the era’s adrenaline while pleasing listeners who value clarity, punch, and memorable hooks. Lyrically and aesthetically, imagery often nods to sci-fi, horror, and escapist fantasy, with neon-bright artwork, neon-lit live presentations, and a triumphant, battle-ready mood.
Key ambassadors and representative acts: Evile (UK) stands as an early beacon of the revival, with a debut that showcased classic-speed sensibilities filtered through contemporary production. Havok (US) added a ferocious, tempo-driven thrash edge that helped define the heavier side of the scene. Skeletonwitch (US) blended blistering speed with occult atmosphere and relentless live aggression, broadening the genre’s appeal beyond traditional speed-metal circles. Enforcer (Sweden) anchored the movement in a melodic, retro-minded package, delivering pristine performances that recalled the 80s without nostalgia fatigue. Taken together, these acts illustrate the spectrum from pure speed-metal attack to more melodic, hook-oriented takes.
Geography and audience: The movement’s strongest footholds are in the US, the UK, Sweden, and Germany, with robust scenes in other parts of Europe and growing followings in Japan, France, Italy, and Latin America. Festivals, dedicated labels, and online communities have helped sustain the wave, even as tastes diversify and hybrid forms emerge. For enthusiasts, New Wave of Speed Metal offers a bridge between the golden-era speed-metal fury and contemporary technique, a shared language for fans who crave velocity, precision, and classic-metal atmosphere all in one blistering package.
Origins and timeline: The late 1990s to early 2000s saw a renewed hunger for vintage speed metal among listeners who craved speed without the opacity of some extreme subgenres. Bands and scene-builders embraced the ethos of 80s speed metal—rapid-fire riffs, concise song lengths, twin-lead guitar lines—yet insisted on polished production and technical precision. This milieu relied on online communities, reissues, and modest indie labels that kept the sound alive between mainstream metal trends. By the late 2000s and into the 2010s, a recognizable cohort of bands began shaping what fans call the New Wave of Speed Metal: fast, hook-driven, and surgically tight.
Sonic profile and aesthetics: Expect high-velocity tempos, tremolo-picked bursts, and relentless rhythm guitar driving compact, power-chord-driven verses. Vocals tend to be urgent and piercing, balancing aggression with melodic lines. Guitar harmonies and dual-lead work—reminiscent of classic speed metal—anchor the music even as production becomes crisper and louder in the modern era. While rooted in speed, many bands weave thrash- or melodic-metal textures into the mix, creating a hybrid that preserves the era’s adrenaline while pleasing listeners who value clarity, punch, and memorable hooks. Lyrically and aesthetically, imagery often nods to sci-fi, horror, and escapist fantasy, with neon-bright artwork, neon-lit live presentations, and a triumphant, battle-ready mood.
Key ambassadors and representative acts: Evile (UK) stands as an early beacon of the revival, with a debut that showcased classic-speed sensibilities filtered through contemporary production. Havok (US) added a ferocious, tempo-driven thrash edge that helped define the heavier side of the scene. Skeletonwitch (US) blended blistering speed with occult atmosphere and relentless live aggression, broadening the genre’s appeal beyond traditional speed-metal circles. Enforcer (Sweden) anchored the movement in a melodic, retro-minded package, delivering pristine performances that recalled the 80s without nostalgia fatigue. Taken together, these acts illustrate the spectrum from pure speed-metal attack to more melodic, hook-oriented takes.
Geography and audience: The movement’s strongest footholds are in the US, the UK, Sweden, and Germany, with robust scenes in other parts of Europe and growing followings in Japan, France, Italy, and Latin America. Festivals, dedicated labels, and online communities have helped sustain the wave, even as tastes diversify and hybrid forms emerge. For enthusiasts, New Wave of Speed Metal offers a bridge between the golden-era speed-metal fury and contemporary technique, a shared language for fans who crave velocity, precision, and classic-metal atmosphere all in one blistering package.