The ‘80s was a vibrant time for the young people who got to grow up in it. Featuring flamboyant fashion statements, the emergence of synth, and a new form of pop music, this decade was defined by extravagance, excess, and musical experimentation. The sounds that defined the ‘80s range from hard rock to alternative, hair metal to grunge, punk to pop, and hip hop to electronica.
The heavy metal movement became fully established, along with subgenres like thrash that continue to inspire kids to learn to play the guitar (and grow their locks out long). Rock music, meanwhile, became more and more “weird” as people rejected the old norms and the tunes of the past in favor of new, experimental sounds. The musicians of this era were open to anything, and soon enough, their innovative thinking created a decade that will be long-remembered as representing a golden age in musical development.
While there are tons of bands and artists that could’ve made it onto this list, we distilled the brilliance of the ‘80s down to five of the greatest bands of the “big hair” decade.
The English rock band was formed in 1976, and had a lasting influence on music culture; one that’s still felt to this day. In April of 2019, Trent Reznor delivered a heartfelt induction speech for the band when they entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Over their years together, The Cure crafted songs that rocked back and forth between abject darkness and cheeky, commercial popularity. Without question, Robert Smith and his fellow members molded the landscape of rock music in the ‘80s and beyond.
Depeche Mode is one of the most influential groups of the ‘80s. Arguably their best album, Violator held strong in the charts until the beginning of the ‘90s. These were the guys responsible for classics such as Never Let Me Down Again and People are People, both of which delivered catchy melodies punctuated by eclectic layered samples, all guided by the sultry voice of the band’s frontman, Dave Gahan. Dubbed “the Essex kings of synthpop,” Depeche Mode sold over 100 million records and remain one of the biggest bands, even up until this day.
The American thrash metal band may have dissolved this year, but its legacy, particularly the contributions it made to the heavy-metal scene, are perennial. Slayer is considered the most sinister of thrash’s “Big Four,” and they were not sissies when it came to crafting music. Classics such as Reign in Blood and South of Heaven are emblematic of the band’s love for hellish themes. These tunes birthed a generation of fans who still enthusiastically chant their battle cries.
Iron Maiden entirely shifted the musical scene when NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) became a worldwide sensation back in the 1980s. The heavy metal band released seven albums during this era, each comeback record adding more variation and complexity in their musicality.
Iron Maiden had a major influence on other bands and the push to incorporate otherworldly and preternatural elements into music. They sparked the rise of a new generation of heavy metal supremacists.
Honestly, there shouldn’t be further elucidation as to why Metallica clinched the No. 1 spot. This band dominated the heavy metal movement and culture in general, their success attributed to top-grade albums released in the 1980s, including Kill 'Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, and ...And Justice for All. Due to the group’s massive popularity, fans struggle to pinpoint exactly which one among these four albums is the best. This alone is strong proof of Metallica’s impact.
Metallica introduced a new form of music with a brand new type of speed and heftiness, and songs that had a whole new roll, even for the heavy metal tribe. Because of their influence, especially with songs like One and For Whom the Bell Tolls, the heavy metal community is perpetually indebted to the band.