(TheBRHM.com) During the early-mid 1980s, there was a shake-up in the Los Angeles metal scene which saw several thrash bands and future thrash artists leave the area for San Francisco, forming the Bay Area Thrash scene. It kind of gave Los Angeles the reputation for being the home of glam metal and hair metal acts but there were a few heavy-as-hell metal bands that were typically lumped in with the scene.
Here are three.
Nitro
Alright, so maybe Nitro should be lumped in with the rest. It was one of the faster, louder speed metal bands in the glam scene and many of their songs were basically glam. While they had speed and volume, I wouldn’t say that Nitro was heavy enough to not get lumped in. They looked like a glam band, played faster than the others and their lead singer could break glass with his voice. Why not include them?
It should also be noted that while Nitro wasn’t a noteworthy band that stood the test of time, this act had some talent in its ranks which would go on to bigger and better outfits. I’m not sure if it’s being associated with being a glam band or Nitro was simply going to break up anyway but it’s one of those bands that I occasionally wonder about.
How would Nitro have weathered the 1990s with Jim Gillette and maybe a new talented band behind him. There have been acts that dissolved and returned or never ended but never really put out much music. Nitro seemed like it would entertain changing sounds in the early 1990s before ending. Could it have made it into the 2000s as an active band?
That I doubt as 1992 was the wrap for Nitro—which is oddly later than I thought it was. I actually thought Nitro was done by 1990.
Lizzy Borden
This is another band from the area that got lumped in with the glam bands. Again, this was partially their doing as they did have a glam look to them at times. Aesthetics aside, Lizzy Borden played both anthemic power and speed metal as well as darker, heavy metal similar to Priest meets King Diamond.
Yes, another talented band is included in the glam rabble. Not only that, but they would’ve also been one of the more talented, flexible bands only to not achieve the national or international fame of others. On that scene, it was Lizzy, Motley Crue, and our third entry near the top as far as bands with the ability, showmanship, and consistency in the studio and on the road out of that scene.
That’s not including Savage Grace, a speed metal act that remained L.A-rooted but never grew beyond its first two releases. Lizzy Borden was and remains more active than those bands today as well. The band still releases music and tours. Their last album My Midnight Things dropped in 2018 and over the years, they have morphed the band theatrically, changing with the times and with their subject matter.
Honestly, it’s important for a band to be able to modernize and get out of what brought them to the dance. If anything, change the sound to a degree. Play faster, slow it down. Don’t want to change the sound? Grow the lyrics some and write about some new stuff.
Of the bands on this list, Lizzy Borden modernized and changed the best.
W.A.S.P
Of the three bands mentioned here, W.A.S P was the act that should’ve achieved the most. While some bands might have the talent but not the charisma or standout appeal, W.A.S.P had all of that just in lead singer and guitarist Blackie Lawless. He was a perfect madman of a metal frontman for an 80s band who had talent and stage presence. He even came up with a stage stunt that Motley Crue used when they signed their first major deal.
The guy knows how to entertain, he’s consistent, and this period of metal—and that location—should’ve seen W.A.S.P really thrive. As far as modernizing, W.A,S.P is kind of like the L,A metal version of Motorhead or Sodom in that the band doesn’t have to change anything. Their consistency and collection of strong songs in multiple decades keeps them revered.
If a band can achieve that, they definitely have some acclaimed work or live performances under their belt. Maybe they had a strong period of consistency that endeared them to fans years later. Whatever the case, W.A.S.P is an act that was too hard and too heavy to be considered glam. Even when doing sleazier songs W.A.S.P had a harder edge to their stuff.
Staff Writer; M. Swift
This talented writer is also a podcast host, and comic book fan who loves all things old school. One may also find him on Twitter at; metalswift.