'80s Metal History (February 11th)

February 11, 1984: The second to last show of the "Seven Dates Of Hell" Tour with Venom, Metallica performed at Aardshock Festival in Zwolle, Netherlands and "Christ, the energy that goes into a Metallica show is too much for humanity to absorb." Opening with "Hit The Lights", "The Four Horseman" and "Jump In The Fire", the band was already huge in Europe with their debut album. "Are you f**kin nuts or what out there?!" -James Hetfield, Kerrang!

February 11, 1989: MTV Headbangers Ball was hosted by Adam Curry with guest Glenn Danzig who had to sit through Europe, Warrant, Aerosmith and 13 other videos before Danzig's latest "Twist Of Cain" was finally shown 😏

February 11, 1989: Skid Row's debut album released in late January, debuted at No. 153 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. On the strength of singles "18 & Life" and "I Remember You", it peaked at No. 6 in September that year.

February 11, 1989: With the album's fourth single "Paradise City" hitting it big at radio and MTV, Guns N' Roses "Appetite For Destruction" returned to No. 1 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. It had last been there in October 1988.

February 11, 1985: Rough Cutt released their debut album in North America featuring "Take Her" (co-written by Ronnie James Dio), "Dreamin' Again" and "Black Widow" (both co-written by Wendy Dio). They opened for DIO on the US "Sacred Heart" Tour. Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - January 19, 1985; FMQB radio trade publication - February 1, 1985.

February 1985: Featuring famous drummer Carmine Appice, King Kobra released "Hunger" as the lead single from their forthcoming debut album "Ready To Strike" (MTV added the video Feb. 15th). Release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication spotlight - February 1, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! review - February 21, 1985.

Racer X released their second studio album "Second Heat" in 1987. Featuring neoclassical guitarist Paul Gilbert, the band added a second guitarist in Bruce Bouillet for this LP, along with future Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis. The album includes the song "Heart Of A Lion", apparently given to the band by Judas Priest's Rob Halford without KK Downing or Glenn Tipton's knowledge. The track is an outtake from Priest's "Turbo" recording sessions.

February 11, 1992: Yngwie Malmsteen released his sixth studio album "Fire & Ice" in North America with singer Göran Edman and featuring single "Teaser". It topped the Japanese albums chart and reached No. 121 on the US Billboard 200. Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - February 1, 1992.

February 2016: With the return of singer Mike Howe after a hiatus from the music industry following the band's first breakup in 1996, Metal Church released single "Killing Your Time" from their forthcoming album "XI".

February 11, 1982: Judas Priest guitarist Glenn Tipton was featured in Kerrang!

Happy Birthday to Tokyo Blade guitarist Andy Boulton (February 11, 1961).

February 1989: "Too Wild To Tame", Ozzy Osbourne and Zakk Wylde were on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine. The issue featured a Mötley Crüe centerfold and a chance to win a Fender Stratocaster from Manowar.