 The widespread popularity of the Internet in the late 1990s / early 2000s helped NWOBHM fans and musicians to reconnect and rekindle their shared enthusiasm . The NWOBHM experienced a minor revival , highlighted by the good sales of old vinyl and collectibles and by the demand for new performances . Statements of appreciation by metal bands of the 1990s , the success of tribute bands , the re @-@ issues of old albums and the production of new thoroughly edited compilations , attracted the media 's attention and encouraged many of the original groups to reunite for festival appearances and tours . According to Macmillan and AllMusic reviewer Eduardo Rivadavia , probably the most important of those compilation albums was New Wave of British Heavy Metal ' 79 Revisited , compiled by Metallica 's drummer Lars Ulrich and former Sounds and Kerrang ! journalist Geoff Barton . It was released in 1990 as a double CD , featuring bands as obscure as Hollow Ground right through to the major acts of the era . 
