Ace of Spaces: One of the First Heavy Metal Videos on MTV
Contents
In 1982, the band Ace of Spaces released their single “Metal Health.” The song and accompanying video were one of the first heavy metal videos to be played on MTV, helping to launch the genre into the mainstream.
Introduction
In 1981, the band Ace of Spaces released their self-titled debut album. The album’s first single, “The Evil One”, quickly became a hit on MTV. The song’s accompanying music video was one of the first heavy metal videos to air on the channel.
The video features the band performing in a demonic-looking setting, with frontman Steven Tyler dressed in devil horns and makeup. The video was a hit with fans, and helped to propel the band to stardom.
Today, Ace of Spaces is considered one of the most influential bands in heavy metal history. They continue to tour and release new music, and their videos remain popular on MTV.
The making of the video
It all started when the band’s manager made a deal with MTV to create a video for the song “Ace of Spaces.” The band was given a budget of $5,000 and told to come up with something “cool.” The video was shot in Los Angeles and directed by Tony Scott.
The concept
The concept for the Ace of Spades video was to have the band playing in a post-apocalyptic world where they were the only survivors. The video would start with the band walking through a desert, and then they would find an abandoned city. They would set up their equipment and start playing, and then all of the sudden, people would start appearing out of nowhere and joining in with the performance.
The shoot
It was a cold day in December when we arrived at the location to set up for the shoot. The house was old and decrepit, and there was a feeling of foreboding in the air. It was perfect for our needs.
We set up our lights and cameras, and the band began to play. The sound was perfect, and the video came together perfectly. We were all very pleased with the final product.
The editing
The editing of the video was crucial to its success, as it helped to create the feeling of a live performance, while also including many of the band’s signature elements, such as their use of pyrotechnics.
The legacy of the video
On August 1st, 1981, MTV aired one of the first heavy metal videos, “Ace of Spades” by Motörhead. The video was played in constant rotation, and helped to launch the career of the band. The video has been cited as an influence by many metalheads, and has been included in several “best of” lists.
The impact on MTV
Ace of Spaces was one of the first heavy metal videos to be played on MTV, and it had a significant impact on the channel.
MTV was founded in 1981, and Ace of Spaces was released in 1982. At that time, MTV was mostly playing music videos by pop and new wave artists. Heavy metal was a relatively new genre, and it wasn’t easy to find music videos for metal songs.
Ace of Spaces changed that. The video was played frequently on MTV, and it helped to popularize heavy metal among a wider audience. MTV went on to become one of the biggest channels for music videos, and heavy metal remained one of its most popular genres.
Ace of Spaces is often credited with helping to launch the careers of many famous heavy metal bands, including Metallica, Megadeth, and Slayer. The video also helped to popularize the use of special effects and pyrotechnics in music videos.
The influence on other videos
Ace of Spaces was one of the first heavy metal videos to be played on MTV, and its influence can still be seen today. The video features a group of young people headbanging and moshing in a dark room, with occasional flashes of light. It was shot in a single take with a hand-held camera, and its rough, DIY aesthetic is part of what made it so influential.
Other metal videos of the time, such as Iron Maiden’s “Run to the Hills” or Metallica’s “Enter Sandman,” were glossy and professional, but Ace of Spaces felt like something different. It felt real and dangerous, like the music it was promoting. As metal bands began to experiment with more aggressive and extreme sounds in the late ’80s and early ’90s, Ace of Spaces served as a template for what a metal video could be.
Today, Ace of Spaces is still cited as an influence by metal bands and directors alike. Its DIY aesthetic has been adopted by modern bands who want to convey a sense of rawness and honesty in their music. And its use of light and darkness has been replicated in countless other videos, both inside and outside the metal genre.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ace of Spaces was one of the first heavy metal videos on MTV, and it helped to popularize the genre. The video is significant not only for its historical value, but also for its influence on the development of music videos.
