In Episode 330 of History in Five Songs with Martin Popoff, Martin explores the birth of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal in 1979, tracing the pivotal singles, band formations, and cultural shifts that set the stage for Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, and countless others to ignite a new era of heavy music.

1. Girlschool – “Take It All Away”
2. Motörhead – “Tear Ya Down”
3. Samson – “It’s Not as Easy as It Seems”
4. Vardis – “If I Were King”
5. Witchfynde – “Give ‘Em Hell”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices