Speed Metal

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Speed Metal is a sub-genre of Heavy Metal originating from the NWOBHM and the work of early Heavy Metal bands such as Deep Purple and Judas Priest. It is usually considered less abrasive and more melodic than Thrash Metal, showing less influence from Hardcore Punk. However, Speed Metal is usually faster and more aggressive than traditional Heavy Metal, also showing more inclination to virtuoso soloing and featuring short instrumental passages between couplets. Speed Metal songs frequently make use of highly expressive vocals, but are usually less likely to employ 'harsh' vocals than Thrash Metal songs.

A few defining Speed Metal releases are Metallica's Kill 'Em All (1983), Exciter's Violence & Force (1984), Helloween's Walls of Jericho (1985), Blind Guardian's Battalions of Fear (1988), and Angel Dust's Into the Dark Past (1988).