'80s Metal History (February 23rd)

February 23, 1987: Manowar released their fifth studio album "Fighting The World" in the UK (May '87 in North America), the second metal LP to be recorded/mixed entirely on digital equipment (Judas Priest "Turbo"). The cover was painted by Ken Kelly (KISS "Destroyer").

Manowar "Fighting The World" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - February 5, 1987; [US] Billboard Magazine ad - May 9, 1987.

February 1982: Scorpions were scheduled to launch the "Blackout" Tour in the UK this month, but Klaus Meine's vocal problems (nodes, polyp) forced the band to postpone. The tour officially launched on March 1, 1982 in Kaunitz, Germany.

February 23, 1985: Iron Maiden brought the "World Slavery" Tour to Beaumont, Texas (they also played nearby Houston five days later).

February 2005: Rob Halford was back with Judas Priest and anticipation was building for the new album "Angel Of Retribution". Japan got it first on February 23rd, followed by Europe on the 28th and North America on March 1st.

February 23, 1979: In the UK, Motörhead released the title track as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Overkill". With more spring and bounce than their '77 debut, the song "Overkill" would become a show-stopper for years to come. Release date source: Record Business - February 19, 1979.

Happy Birthday to Queensrÿche guitarist Michael "The Whip!" Wilton (February 23, 1962).

February 23, 1983: KISS brought the "Creatures Of The Night / 10th Anniversary" Tour back to the place where "Alive I" was recorded a decade earlier, Cobo Arena in Detroit Rock City.

February 23, 1991: Megadeth were in Nagoya, Japan for the first of two concerts as part of the "Clash Of The Titans" Tour. The band played six shows in Japan including the first three in Tokyo.

February 23, 1993: Nuclear Assault released their fifth studio album "Something Wicked", the first and only record from the band not to feature founding members Dan Lilker and Anthony Bramante who departed a year earlier. Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - February 5, 1993.

February 23, 1993: Metal Blade issued "Independent", the third studio album from Sacred Reich, a slight departure from the band's early thrash metal style heard on their previous releases, with the LP featuring a groove metal sound. The title track is played in the 1993 college football film "The Program". Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - February 5, 1993.

Happy Birthday to Nitro guitarist Michael Angelo Batio (February 23, 1956). Michael tried out for KISS in the '80s and was later asked to audition for Ozzy, but was told not to "play over or under the neck or to use my double guitar!"

Remembering composer, lyricist and producer Paul O'Neill, who would have celebrated a birthday today (February 23, 1956). He is best known for his work with Savatage but also produced Metal Church and Badlands, and founded Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Paul died in 2017. R.I.P.

February 1984: Accept parted company with guitarist Herman Frank. He was replaced by Jörg Fischer. Frank went on to join the band Victory in 1986.

February 1985: Drummer Cozy Powell officially left Whitesnake and joined Emerson and Lake (formerly Emerson, Lake & Palmer)... Cozy's surname beginning with a "P" was sure convenient. Meanwhile, Whitesnake carried on preparing for a new album, but rumours were swirling that guitarist John Sykes and bassist Neil Murray may follow Powell's lead. -Kerrang!

February 23, 2024: Former KISS guitarist Ace Frehley released his eighth solo studio album "10,000 Volts", the first of original material since 2018's Spaceman. "It's probably the best record I've ever done. I'm very excited about it. It's the first time I ended up writing most of these songs with a good friend of mine, Steve Brown. He used to play in Trixter and now has a group called Rubix Kube."-UCR Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - January 27, 2024.

February 23, 1992: Anthrax appeared on the US television show "Married With Children", where Bud and Kelly win the "My Dinner With Anthrax" contest which means a thrash metal house party after the "mystery pack" dinner 🤢🤮