'80s Metal History (February 14th)

February 1988: Now this is a Metal Magazine! "Metal Mania" featured W.A.S.P., Metal Church, King Diamond, Grim Reaper and Judas Priest on the cover 🤘

Happy Birthday to Metal Blade Records founder and CEO Brian Slagel (February 14, 1961). Slagel initiated the Metal Massacre series in 1982, the first of which included the first commercial recording by Metallica.

February 1983: Meet the new players in Ozzy Osbourne's band, bassist Don Costa and guitarist Jakey Lou, who was briefly a member of the DIO band and "apparently offered a gig with" Mötley Crüe. -Kerrang!

February 14, 1985: After a minor bidding war the previous year, Raven were signed to Atlantic Records and released their fourth studio album "Stay Hard" in North America, which became a minor hit on the strength of single and music video "On And On". Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 1, 1985.

The autobiography of Megaforce Records founder Jonny Z (R.I.P.) shows February 14, 1986 as the date the label issued "Metal Of Honor", the first full-length album from New Jersey metal band T.T. Quick.

February 1989: Fronted by Stormtroopers of Death singer Billy Milano, New York City thrash metal band M.O.D. released their second studio album "Gross Misconduct" n North America. Release information source: [US] Cashbox Magazine spotlight - March 4, 1989.

February 14, 2014: Flotsam and Jetsam released a re-recording of their 1988 album "No Place For Disgrace" in Europe (Feb. 18th in North America). The band had received many fan requests to remix the record, but had difficulty obtaining the master tapes. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - January 20, 2014.

February 14, 1983: With a week of dates left on the "World Vengeance" Tour, Judas Priest played Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas with special guest Heaven.

February 14, 1985: KISS and Queensrÿche played Portland on the "Animalize" Tour. I was there with my Valentine at the time. We were in a car accident on the way, but both okay and the car still operable... Missing the concert was not an option 😘

February 14, 1992: The movie "Wayne's World" opened in US theaters. The studio originally wanted to use a Guns N' Roses song for the head banging scene but Mike Myers demanded "Bohemian Rhapsody", even threatening to quit production.

Celebrating our love of '80s Metal. Thanks for listening to METAL SHOP!