'80s Metal History (January 28th)

January 28, 1988: Metallica began recording their fourth studio album, the as yet untitled "...And Justice For All", with producer Mike Clink (who produced Guns N' Roses' "Appetite For Destruction"). "Contrary to rumour, they're having no trouble writing material." -Kerrang! The process was new to new bassist Jason Newsted, who recorded his parts separately, with only the assistant engineer present.

January 28, 1991: Mötley Crüe's "Dr. Feelgood" won the American Music Award for "Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Album", beating out Poison’s "Flesh & Blood" and Aerosmith’s "Pump".

January 28, 1991: Slaughter won "Favorite Heavy Metal/Hard Rock New Artist" at the American Music Awards, beating out a solo Bruce Dickinson and solo Don Dokken.

January 28, 1986: Raven released their fifth studio album "The Pack Is Back" in North America (March '86 in the UK). With pressure from their label to produce a commercially successful album, it had a more radio-friendly sound, but no hits and it peaked at No. 121 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Release date source: [US] Kerrang! - January 9, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! - March 20, 1986.

Happy Birthday to former Anthrax guitarist [1983-95], Dan Spitz (January 28, 1963).

Happy Birthday to former Odin and current Armored Saint guitarist Jeff Duncan (January 28, 1966).

Remembering Black Sabbath keyboardist [1980-2004] Geoff Nicholls, who died January 28, 2017 at age 72. R.I.P.

January 28, 1984: Scorpions launched the "Love At First Sting" Tour five days earlier in Birmingham, England and were now set for two shows at Newcastle's City Hall with opener Accept. Images: Kerrang!.

January 28, 1983: "On Their Ride For Vengeance Tour", Manowar and special guests Virgin Steele, "The Only Power Metal Band With Nerve To Take The Same Stage", performed at "World War III" at the Paramount Theatre in Staten Island, New York. Photos from this show were featured in the UK's Kerrang! Magazine (March 10, 1983).

January 28, 1989: On the road with Queensrÿche, Metallica brought the "Damaged Justice" Tour to Tulsa, Oklahoma. As the "One" single and video became more successful, it moved further down the setlist to the first encore.

January 28, 2014: “We want to have some dignity,” Nikki Sixx told the press before signing a contract pledging that Mötley Crüe would never tour again. We all know how that went. On November 18, 2019, the contract was literally blown up 🥴