Iron Maiden and the NWOBHM get the documentary treatment at The Insider

Pictures: Iron Maiden and the NWOBHM get the documentary treatment

Iron Maiden will tour all summer long, but in case you're not going to make one of their shows, you'll still be able to see them: The metal legends will drop a new DVD, titled "Iron Maiden and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal," on June 10. The DVD will chronicle the pivotal period in heavy metal history known as the NWOBHM.

The documentary is described in a press release as follows:
"Back in 1976, nobody really knew that there was an old wave of British heavy metal (LOL!). But within two years of their formation, Iron Maiden had spearheaded what came to be abbreviated the NWOBHM, and, as with punk the year before, a new generation of rock musicians brought in a new wave of the genre - and in the process made loud, raw, heavy rock the global phenomenon it is today. For the first time this film investigates this New Wave - the bands, the records, the media and the series of unconnected events that led to this astonishing, durable and still hugely relevant form which is still heard today in virtually every rock record released. Focusing on Maiden and the other pivotal bands of the time, such as Saxon, Samson, Praying Mantis, Diamond Head, Tygers of Pan Tang and many others, this DVD is the ultimate exposé of a style that may not get as much press as punk, but is equally as relevant to the music of the second millennium."

Included as features on the DVD will be:

Rare footage of all the main NWOBHM bands
Live and studio recordings of the important songs
Hard-to-find news items regarding the movement as it took place around the UK
Photographs from the musicians' private collections
Exclusive interviews with many of the major players, including Iron Maidens's Paul Di'Anno and Dennis Stratton, Diamond Head's Brian Tatler, Tygers of Pan Tang's Rob Weir, Samson's legendary drummer Thundersticks, Tino and Chris Troy from Praying Mantis, the current line-up of Girlschool, and many other high-profile names
Commentary, review and expertise from Malcolm Dome (Kerrang, Classic Rock), Jerry Ewing (Metal Hammer, Classic Rock), Geoff Barton (staff writer at Sounds during the New Wave), Garry Bushell (Sounds journalist and champion of the NWOBHM), Neil Kay (legendary metal DJ from the Soundhouse club) and British metal author and journalist, Joel McIver

This is such great news. The NWOBHM is such an overlooked period in the history of metal, with the exception of Maiden. There were so many great bands from that era whose influence can be seen to this day.

Speaking of the history of metal, if you feel so inclined you can check out my ongoing series in which I chronicle heavy metal year by year from its origins until today.

Source: Buzznet Music Community