Which heavy metal subgenre originated in the UK in the late 1970s?

The heavy metal subgenre that originated in the UK in the late 1970s was the new wave of British heavy metal, commonly abbreviated NWOBHM.

The movement began in England during the mid- to late 1970s, when younger bands revived traditional heavy metal with faster tempos, punk-rock intensity, and a do-it-yourself attitude. Many groups built audiences through small clubs, pubs, independent labels, self-released demos, and mail-order singles.

The name became widely used after journalist Geoff Barton used it in Sounds in 1979, following the growth of London’s Heavy Metal Soundhouse scene promoted by DJ Neal Kay. Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Saxon, Diamond Head, and Venom became among its best-known representatives.

NWOBHM is sometimes confused with glam metal, thrash metal, or death metal. Those are different styles that developed later or in different scenes. The British movement helped influence speed, power, thrash, and extreme metal during the 1980s.