Blues-rock br oadens out
In a new era of virtuoso playing and high-production values, blues took a new direction in the 80s
Some say traditional playing was lost in a sea of technical virtuosity, studio production and spandex in the 80s, but blues was at the heart of the emerging New Wave Of British Heavy Metal (aka NWOBHM). Acts such as Judas Priest, Saxon and Iron Maiden took a heavier turn compared to 70s pioneers Black Sabbath and Deep Purple. Eddie Van Halen’s influence spawned a generation of virtuosos, with Joe Satriani and Yngwie Malmsteen both citing Jimi Hendrix as a massive influence, too. Going against the grain, Guns N’ Roses’ rougher, less productionheavy debut, Appetite For
Destruction, proved that the combination of Les Paul and Marshall amp still had all the attitude you could need.