How Metal Health by Quiet Riot helped shape the 80s heavy metal scene

Metal Health by Quiet Riot and Its Impact on the 80s Heavy Metal Scene

The 80s are often referred to as the golden age of heavy metal, and for a good reason. The decade saw the rise of some of the most influential bands in the genre, including Metallica, Iron Maiden, and, of course, Quiet Riot. While the latter may not have achieved the same level of lasting success as some of their peers, their impact on the 80s heavy metal scene cannot be denied. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how Quiet Riot’s album “Metal Health” helped shape the genre during that infamous decade.

An Introduction to Quiet Riot

Before we dive into the specifics of “Metal Health”, let’s take a quick look at the band that created it. Quiet Riot was formed in 1973 in Los Angeles, California, by guitarist Randy Rhoads, bassist Kelly Garni, drummer Drew Forsyth, and lead vocalist Kevin DuBrow. While the lineup changed over the years, with drummer Frankie Banali being the only constant member, the band gained notoriety in the late 70s and early 80s for their high-energy live shows and hard-hitting sound.

The Making of “Metal Health”

Released on March 11, 1983, “Metal Health” was Quiet Riot’s third studio album, but the first to feature Banali on drums. The album was a massive success, topping the Billboard 200 chart and becoming the first heavy metal album to do so. It included the hit singles “Cum On Feel the Noize” and “Metal Health (Bang Your Head)”, both of which received significant airplay on MTV and helped the album sell over six million copies worldwide.

The success of “Metal Health” was due in large part to its accessibility. While the album featured heavy riffs and shredding solos, it also had catchy hooks and anthemic choruses that made it easy to sing along to. This balance between heaviness and melody helped the album appeal to a wider audience than the typical heavy metal fanbase, which was still seen as somewhat niche at the time.

The Impact of “Metal Health”

“Metal Health” paved the way for other heavy metal bands to achieve mainstream success in the 80s. While bands like Judas Priest and Black Sabbath had already been around for over a decade, they had yet to achieve the kind of mainstream recognition that Quiet Riot did with “Metal Health”. The album was the perfect blend of heavy metal intensity and catchy pop sensibilities, and it showed that heavy metal could be more than just a niche subculture.

The success of “Metal Health” also proved that heavy metal bands could achieve success without compromising their sound. While some critics accused the album of being too commercial, it was still undeniably heavy and aggressive, and it helped pave the way for other bands like Guns N’ Roses and Metallica to achieve success without sacrificing their edge.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Quiet Riot’s “Metal Health” was a game-changer for the heavy metal genre in the 80s. It showed that heavy metal could be accessible without losing its edge, and it paved the way for other bands to achieve mainstream success in the years to come. While Quiet Riot may not have achieved the same level of lasting success as some of their peers, their impact on the 80s heavy metal scene cannot be denied, and “Metal Health” remains a classic album that helped define a generation.

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