Sheffield Heavy Metal Metal Scene Profiled In New Book

October 25, 2010

It was desperate times for Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire region in the 1980s. Deep recession had thrown tens of thousands on the dole and its traditional steel industry lay in ruins. But far from accepting its plight, Sheffield became a U.K. leader in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal rock movement, sweeping the nation and attracting one of the most loyal and steadfast following the rock era has ever known, according to "Signing On For The Devil", Neil Anderson's new book.

Sheffield's stairway to hell was led by South Yorkshire band SAXON but no one could have predicted the unrivalled success of DEF LEPPARD, a band that became, and continues to be, one of the hottest properties in the USA.

The city's own Bruce Dickinson helped turn IRON MAIDEN into one of the biggest forces in the heavy metal universe and a pair of former miners, the Bailey brothers, became two of the most influential voices of the movement right across Europe as well as becoming widely recognized as the originators of the "air guitar" phenomenon.

"Signing On For The Devil" is the story of Sheffield's rise to its position as capital of Eighties heavy metal, how the scene started and how its rock scene still thrives today thanks to a new generation of bands like 65DAYSOFSTATIC and BRING ME THE HORIZON. The book contains scores of exclusive interviews with the bands and fans. It is packed with rare and unseen photos.

Neil Anderson said: "Sheffield's contribution to the rock scene over the decades has been quite astonishing. No U.K. city in the 1980s could touch the city in terms of influence, audiences and top-flight musicians. Venues like the Wapentake, Rebels and Sheffield City Hall became legendary right across the country and in many cases the world."

"Signing On For The Devil" will be launched at a massive reunion, Reunite In Rock, that will take place on Friday, November 26 at Sheffield's Casbah venue (formerly the Wapentake),and include former Rebels/Roxy DJ Lez, former Wapentake DJ Ken, former Rebels DJ Bob Maltby, former Roxy/Drop DJ Mutley and former Drop DJ Rice. The event lasts from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Advance tickets are available at £8 each from www.reuniteinrock.co.uk.

"Signing On For The Devil" is published by ACM Retro and is on sale from Amazon and all good bookshops at £12.95 from Monday, November 1.

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