in complete opposition to dark and confrontational lyrics, low key aesthetics and growled vocals from different styles of metal of this period there's one genre that is growing in popularity. parties, sex, drugs, rock star clichès and are the main ingredients of hair metal. reckless life styles. musically speaking hair metal is a weird combination of melodies influenced by pop, shredding guitar solos and heavy metal based guitar riffing. so there are some points of contact with other styles of metal, but the mood is completely different.

• seminal hair metal bands:

motley crue, poison, twisted sister, quiet riot

• important hair metal album:

motley crue - shout at the devil (1983)