'80s Metal History (February 27th)

February 27, 1981: Judas Priest pursued a more radio-friendly direction with the release of their seventh studio album "Point Of Entry" in the UK (Mid-March '81 in North America). The LP's name reflects its intended purpose as an accessible introduction to the band's music and the heavy metal genre in general. Most of the world got the futuristic cover, while the US got the dot matrix highway... "The sleeve was awful." -Glenn Tipton

Judas Priest "Point Of Entry" release information source: [UK] Originally scheduled to be issued on February 20, 1981 (Record Mirror - Feb. 14, 1981), for unknown reasons it was delayed a week (BPI Certified; Record Mirror review - March 7, 1981). The album debuted on the Official Album chart on March 7, 1981; [US] FMQB radio trade publication - March 20, 1981.

Happy Birthday to Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith (February 27, 1957).

February 1986: "The King Of Rock And Roll", Ronnie James Dio was on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine. The issue featured "The Words To The Latest Rock Hits"... With Internet search now, a reminder how easy we have it today.

February 1987: Whitesnake released "Still Of The Night" in North America (March 9th in the UK) as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Whitesnake". One year later, it was voted best single in Circus Magazine's 18th Annual Readers Poll. Release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication ad - February 27, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! ad - March 5, 1987.

February 1983: While in the UK, Queensrÿche management dropped off a tape of the debut EP (released independently in the US in September 1982) at the Kerrang! offices. After listening, the mag was so taken with the band, they forgot the third "e" in Queensrÿche 😁

February 27, 1985: Singer Joey Belladonna performed his first show with Anthrax at NYC Cafe II in Albany, New York. He had just joined the band in late '84 and has said he didn't know who they were before his audition.

February 27, 1990: Sanctuary released their second studio album "Into The Mirror Black" in North America (April 16, 1990 in the UK) featuring "Future Tense" (video shown on MTV's Headbangers Ball). This was the band's last album until 2010. Lead singer Warrel Dane passed away in 2017. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - February 23, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! - April 16, 1990.

February 27, 1990: Canadian hard rockers Killer Dwarfs released their fourth studio album "Dirty Weapons" in North America (April 16, 1990 in the UK) featuring singles the title track and power ballad "Doesn't Matter" with both music videos featured on MuchMusic and MTV. Release date source: [US] Kerrang! - January 20, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! - April 14, 1990.

Late February 1989: San Francisco thrash metal band Lääz Rockit Rockit released their fourth studio album "Annihilation Principle" in North America (February 5, 1990 in the UK), their last LP featuring the classic line-up. Release information source: [US] CMJ New Music Report ad - March 10, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! - January 20, 1990.

February 1989: With former Accept guitarist Herman Frank, German metal band Victory released their fourth studio album "Culture Killed The Native" in the UK and North America featuring singles "Don't Tell No Lies" and "Never Satisfied". Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - January 14, 1989; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - March 24, 1989.

February 1973: Alice Cooper released their sixth studio album "Billion Dollar Babies" featuring single "No More Mr. Nice Guy", which Cooper wrote about the reactions of his mother's church group to his stage performances, saying there were worse things he could do with his life, and that the "gloves were off now." The album reached No. 1 in the US and UK and No. 2 in Canada. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - March 10, 1973.

February 27, 1984: With their home country getting it first, Scorpions ninth studio album "Love At First Sting" debuted on the German album chart. The LP was released in the US in late February and the UK on March 12th.

February 27, 1984: Ahead of their first UK tour as a headliner, Quiet Riot released the song "Bad Boy" as a single in the UK. It would later appear on the band's next album "Condition Critical" issued in July that year. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - February 23, 1984.

February 27, 1985: KISS begin the Canadian leg of the "Animalize" World Tour with guest Queensrÿche in Vancouver. Five more shows followed through March 9th ending in Winnipeg before returning to the states.

February 27, 1989: Ozzy Osbourne launched the Asia leg of the "No Rest For The Wicked" Tour with the first of three shows in Tokyo.

February 27, 1990: Promoting their latest album "Master Of Disguise", Lizzy Borden were touring the UK for the first time with a show in Plymouth, England... Admission only £4 and "No Dress Restrictions At All".

Remembering actor Tony Fields, who played ghost rocker Sammi Curr in the 1986 movie "Trick Or Treat", also starring Ozzy Osbourne and Gene Simmons. Tony died February 27, 1995 at the age of 36. R.I.P.

February 27, 1987: "A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors" opened in US theaters and Dokken's music video for "Dream Warriors" that incorporated the actors along with the band was a first and well-received.

"Ex-Pect No Mercy", Exodus were on the cover of Kerrang! and their latest album "'Fabulous Disaster' contains bruising double whammies that will smash your teeth in... Translation: it's really rather good."