'80s Metal History (February 26th)

February 1987: Megaforce and Atlantic Records issued Overkill's second studio album "Taking Over" in North America featuring singles "Wrecking Crew" and "In Union We Stand". The latter was a mainstay on MTV Headbangers Ball until June that year. American rock radio had the album by February 19th (Source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - February 13, 1987) and it was in record stores before the end of the month. The LP was issued in the UK on March 16th (Kerrang! - March 5, 1987).

February 26, 1988: Supporting their second album "Pleasures Of The Flesh", Exodus brought the "Meat Party" Tour home to The Warfield in San Francisco.

February 1988: Iron Maiden were at MusicLand Studios in Munich putting the finishing touches on their seventh studio album, the as yet untitled "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son". A tour was being planned for an early summer start - "presuming, of course, singer Bruce Dickinson doesn't make Britain's Olympic fencing team!" -Kerrang.

February 26, 1991: Motörhead released their ninth studio album "1916" in North America (January 21st in the UK), their first LP in four years and last with drummer Phil "Philthy Animal". Lemmy had just moved to Hollywood from England a year earlier. Release date source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - February 22, 1991.

February 26, 1988: Alice Cooper and Motörhead played Long Beach, California. Alice was joined by Axl Rose, Slash and Izzy Stradlin for "Under My Wheels" that was recorded and later used on the soundtrack to "The Decline Of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years".

February 26, 1987: Five months after its release, RATT's third studio album "Dancing Undercover" was certified platinum in the US. The rodent rockers were also featured in the February 1987 issue of Hit Parader Magazine.

February 26, 1985: With new guitarist Steve Vai replacing Yngwie Malmsteen, Alcatrazz released their second studio album "Disturbing The Peace" in North America (July 15th in the UK), featuring single "God Blessed Video", which despite the title, didn't get much love from MTV. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 22, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! - June 27, 1985.

Australian hard rockers Heaven released their debut album "Bent" featuring single "Fantasy" in 1982. After Bon Scott died two years earlier, AC/DC producers George Young and Harry Vanda wanted Heaven singer Allan Fryer as a replacement, but the band was in London auditioning Brian Johnson... Oops!

Happy Birthday to Whiplash singer and guitarist Tony Portaro (February 26, 1961).

February 26, 2016: Anthrax released their 11th studio album "For All Kings", their first to feature Jon Donais on lead guitar who replaced Rob Caggiano. Explaining the album title, Scott Ian has said it means "a king of yourself." Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - December 4, 2015.

February 1990: It wasn't official yet, but Megadeth were getting close to naming Marty Friedman the band's new guitarist, replacing Jeff Young. -Kerrang