'80s Metal History (January 21st)

January 1985: The first Japanese hard rock act to be signed by a major international record label (Atco/Atlantic), Loudness released their fifth studio album "Thunder In The East" in North America (March '85 in the UK) featuring single "Crazy Nights".

Loudness "Thunder In The East" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 1, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! ad - March 7, 1985.

January 21, 1985: Keel released their second studio album "The Right To Rock" in North America (March '85 in the UK). It was produced by KISS' Gene Simmons and Steve Riley plays drums on the entire album, but subsequently left to join W.A.S.P. The song "Speed Demon" was featured in the 2002 movie "Men In Black II".

Keel "The Right To Rock" release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - January 11, 1985; Billboard Magazine ad - January 26, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! review - March 21, 1985.

January 21, 1991: Motörhead released their ninth studio album "1916" in the UK (February 26th in North America), their first LP in four years and last with drummer Phil "Philthy Animal". Lemmy had just moved to Hollywood from England a year earlier.

Motörhead "1916" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - December 15, 1990; Kerrang! ad - January 26, 1991; [US] CMJ New Music Report - February 22, 1991.

L.A. hard rockers Odin released their only full-length album "Fight For Your Life" featuring single "12 O'Clock High" in 1988. After an appearance in the film "The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years", the band split up. Guitarist Jeff Duncan went on to play with Armored Saint.

Happy Birthday to drummer John Macaluso [Powermad, TNT, Riot, Yngwie Malmsteen] (January 21, 1968).

Happy Birthday to former Venom and Atomkraft bassist and vocalist Tony "Demolition Man" Dolan (January 21, 1964). Tony has also had acting roles in films like "Master And Commander" and "Dirty War".

January 21, 1981: With new frontman Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath played the last of four consecutive nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon. The "Heaven & Hell" Tour would conclude two weeks later in St Austell, England.

January 21, 1983: The Old Waldorf in San Francisco featured Y&T playing the first of two nights at "Fan Appreciation Night".

January 21, 1986: With support from America’s biggest opening band Dokken, Twisted Sister brought the "Come Out And Play" Tour to the Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts. "Twisted was fantastic, the stage looked like a back alley, Dee is a master frontman 666!!!" -Fan review on social media

January 21, 1989: Kerrang! published this photo of Metallica backstage in Salt Lake City on the "Damaged Justice" Tour with big fan Donny Osmond 🙃

January 1983: After concluding the "Beast On The Road" Tour in early December, Iron Maiden took some time off before getting together again in Jersey to rehearse and write new material. The band flew to Nassau in early February to begin recording what would become the "Piece Of Mind" album. -Kerrang!

January 21, 1984: With Ozzy Osbourne's "Bark At The Moon" Tour in Boston, guitarist Jake E. Lee had the chance to meet another guitarist he had long admired, local legend Joe Perry from Aerosmith. -Kerrang!

January 1990: "The Truth Behind Dr. Feelgood!" Metalshop Magazine had Mötley Crüe's Vince Neil on the cover. Inside and maybe more interesting was "The Whitesnake/Blue Murder Feud!" Something to do with John Sykes? 🤔