Salem

Salem (often referred to as Salem UK to distinguish from the American witch house act) is a seminal fixture of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) scene, originating from Hull, England. Formed in 1979 from the ashes of Ethel the Frog, the band epitomizes the transition from 70s hard rock to 80s heavy metal.

Despite only releasing a handful of demos and a single in their initial run, they maintained a significant underground reputation that led to a successful 2009 reformation. Their sound is characterized by melodic dual-lead guitar work and a rhythmic drive similar to early Iron Maiden or Saxon, but with a distinct emphasis on hard rock song structures. Their later albums, particularly 'Dark Days' (2016), received critical acclaim for maintaining the authentic NWOBHM spirit without sounding like a mere parody. They remain a vital link to the UK's metal heritage, representing the bridge between pub rock energy and the technical evolution of British metal.