The First Heavy Metal Music Video

The first ever heavy metal music video was released on this day in history. Learn about the band that made it and the lasting impact it had on the genre.

Introduction

In 1981, the band Judas Priest released their music video “Breaking the Law.” The video featured the band performing in a desolate urban landscape, with occasional shots of a leather-clad drummer and singer Rob Halford riding a motorcycle. The video was directed by Jim Yukich, who would go on to directed videos for artists such as Michael Jackson and Madonna. “Breaking the Law” was the first heavy metal music video ever made, and it helped to launch the careers of both Judas Priest and Jim Yukich.

The Birth of Heavy Metal

Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” was released in September, 1970 and is widely considered to be the first heavy metal song. In July of 1971, the band released their self-titled album, which is often referred to as the first heavy metal album. While there is no definitive answer to the question of when heavy metal began, Black Sabbath is definitely credited with helping to pioneer the genre.

The first heavy metal music video was Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills,” which was released in 1982. The video features the band performing in a live concert setting, intercut with footage of Native Americans. “Run to the Hills” is a classic heavy metal song and the video is a great example of early metal music videos.

The First Heavy Metal Video

The first heavy metal music video wasShot by Roger Mussenden for the band ‘Atomic Rooster’. It was filmed in December 1970 and released in 1971. The video features the band playing live in a studio, with close ups of the instruments and the musicians. It is intercut with shots of the band members walking around London, as well as footage of them relaxing and joking around. The video has a dark and gritty feel, which fits the heavy metal genre well.

The Impact of Heavy Metal

The first heavy metal music video is widely considered to be Black Sabbath’s “Paranoid” which was released in 1970. The impact of heavy metal can be felt in many aspects of our culture including fashion, art, and of course, music. Heavy metal is often associated with rebellion and non-conformity, which may be part of its appeal for many fans. Whatever the reason for its popularity, there is no denying that heavy metal has had a profound impact on the music industry and our society as a whole.

The Future of Heavy Metal

It’s safe to say that the future of heavy metal is looking bright. With bands like Avenged Sevenfold and Metallica still going strong, and newer bands like Ghost and Babymetal breaking into the mainstream, there’s plenty to keep fans of the genre happy.

And with music videos like Avenged Sevenfold’s “Hail to the King” and Metallica’s “Hardwired… to Self-Destruct”, it’s clear that heavy metal is still a force to be reckoned with in the world of music videos. So what does the future hold for heavy metal music videos?

We can expect to see more big budget productions, with more special effects and pyrotechnics than ever before. We can also expect to see more collaborations between metal bands and other genres, as we’ve recently seen with Ghost and EDM duo Pendulum.

But whatever the future holds, one thing is for sure: heavy metal music videos are here to stay.