[For Beginners] Classic LA Metal Anthems: A Roundup of the Most Popular Standards
In the United States during the 1980s, many bands emerged that combined a distinctive sound adding glamorous elements to heavy metal with flashy looks; these bands came to be known as glam metal or hair metal.
In Japan, those bands—especially the ones from Los Angeles—were given a unique label: “LA metal,” and they had a major impact on the Japanese metal scene.
The soundscape woven by powerful guitar riffs, lyrical melodies, and soaring high-pitched vocals continues to captivate many listeners even today.
This time, we’ll introduce classic songs that are perfect for learning about the history and allure of LA metal.
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[For Beginners] Classic LA Metal Masterpieces: A Roundup of Essential Favorites (31–40)
The PriceTwisted Sister
A song about the things sacrificed to achieve one’s goals.
It was released as a single in 1984 by the American heavy metal band Twisted Sister.
Considered a fan favorite, it’s their most popular ballad.
Dream WarriorsDokken
A song created as the theme for the film “A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.” It was released as a single in 1987 by the American metal band Dokken.
The track, whose music video gained popularity on MTV, reached No.
22 on the U.S.
charts.
The Ballad Of JayneL.A. Guns
A song included on the second album, Cocked & Loaded, released in 1989 by the American hard rock band L.A.
Guns.
The title “Jayne” refers to Jayne Mansfield, a popular actress and pin-up girl from the 1950s and 1960s.
House Of Broken LoveGreat White
A song with pain-tinged inspiration, released as a single in 1989 by the American hard rock band Great White.
It reached No.
7 on the U.S.
charts and was performed at the 1990 American Music Awards.
SeventeenWinger
The first hit by the American rock band Winger and their most famous song.
It was released as a single in 1988 and reached No.
26 on the U.S.
charts.
The music video was directed by Mark Rezyka.