’80s Metal Music Throwdown: Results!

By Metal Marcy
August 4th, 2008

The results of the UK vs US ’80s Metal Music Throwdown are in. So, who reigns supreme? Take a look!

Def Leppard vs Motley Crue
WINNER: DEF LEPPARD
Def Leppard (55%, 6,859 Votes)
Motley Crue (45%, 5,566 Votes)

A lot of you argued that Def Leppard is not metal. Well, they certainly would take issue with that charge. Anyway, the boys from Sheffield outlast the glam party band from LA.

Ozzy Osbourne (solo years) vs Metallica
WINNER: METALLICA
Metallica (75%, 10,046 Votes)
Ozzy Osbourne (solo years) (25%, 3,344 Votes)

The Ozzy fans were quite vocal, and Metallica had plenty of detractors, but they still handedly defeated the former Black Sabbath vocalist.

Iron Maiden vs Guns ‘N Roses
WINNER: IRON MAIDEN
Iron Maiden (54%, 7,253 Votes)
Guns ‘N Roses (46%, 6,202 Votes)

I was surprised by this one. I expected Axl, Slash and the Guns crew to beat Maiden. But the gods of New Wave British Metal took the crown.

Black Sabbath (Dio years) vs Van Halen (David Lee Roth years)
WINNER: VAN HALEN (David Lee Roth years)
Van Halen (David Lee Roth years) (53%, 6,815 Votes)
Black Sabbath (Dio years) (47%, 5,981 Votes)

No surprise that Van Halen took this one, but I’m shocked at how close the race was, especially considering Sabbath only recorded two albums with Dio.

Motorhead vs Slayer
WINNER: SLAYER
Slayer (53%, 6,500 Votes)
Motorhead (47%, 5,760 Votes)

Many of you gave me shit for this match-up, but I stand by it. Down and dirty metal battle with Slayer narrowly defeating Lemmy and his Motorhead mates.

Judas Priest (mid period) vs Kiss (mid period)
WINNER: JUDAS PRIEST
Judas Priest (mid period) (69%, 8,336 Votes)
Kiss (mid period) (31%, 3,688 Votes)

No surprise here. Kiss in the ’80s can’t hold a candle to Halford, Tipton, Downing and crew.

Whitesnake vs Twisted Sister
WINNER: WHITESNAKE
Whitesnake (51%, 5,717 Votes)
Twisted Sister (49%, 5,514 Votes)

The closest battle of all, Whitesnake ekes out a win over Dee Snyder’s Twisted Sister for the hair band crown.

Saxon vs Megadeth
WINNER: MEGADETH
Megadeth (89%, 10,563 Votes)
Saxon (11%, 1,277 Votes)

I admit it, this wasn’t a fair fight, but nobody can argue against Saxon’s massive influence on all metal that followed.

UK: 4 wins
US: 4 wins

As many of you noted, it’s kind of a silly question, trying to determine whether the UK or US spawned the better ’80s metal bands. Both countries can be proud of the amazing music that rocked from its shores in the 1980s. Regardless of your preference, there’s no denying the overwhelming impact all of these bands have had on the world of rock and roll.

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’80s Metal Music Throwdown: Results!

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