'80s Metal History (February 7th)

Metal Church released their third studio album "Blessing In Disguise" in early 1989, their first with singer Mike Howe (formerly of Heretic) who replaced David Wayne after he left to form the band Reverend.

Metal Church "Blessing In Disguise" release information: Many sites show this LP being issued on February 7, 1989, but there is no evidence to support it. A review of the album appeared in Kerrang! [UK] - January 14, 1989 and it was spotlighted in Cashbox Magazine [US] - January 21, 1989. The album's original cover art was rejected by the label and may have contributed to a delayed release to February.

February 1986: Judas Priest were getting close to releasing their new album Turbo (March '86 in North America, April '86 in the UK). Glenn Tipton revealed to Kerrang! the band's use of synth guitars. Iron Maiden did the same that year on "Somewhere In Time".

February 7, 1985: Accept released "Midnight Mover" in the US as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Metal Heart". The music video for the song about a drug dealer was one of the first filmed using the bullet time technique (where time is either slowed down or stopped completely, but the movement of the camera carries on)... "Just ahead of our time again!" -Wolf Hoffmann. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - February 1, 1985

February 7, 1986: RATT released "You're In Love" in the UK as the second single from the album "Invasion Of Your Privacy". The music video features several love scene clips from classic movies and cartoons. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - February 6, 1986.

February 7, 1980: AC/DC with Bon Scott perform together for the very last time, lip-synching "Touch Too Much" on the UK TV show "Top Of The Pops". Bon would pass away twelve days later.

February 7, 1985: KISS lit up Las Vegas as the "Animalize" Tour roared into town with special guest Queensrÿche.

February 7, 1987: Alice Cooper with special guest Megadeth played the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul, Minnesota. That same night David Lee Roth performed 150 miles North in Duluth.

February 7, 1989: With their new album released across the pond a week earlier, Exodus launched the "Fabulous Disaster" Tour in the UK at Sheffield University. -Kerrang!

New Jersey thrashers Whiplash released their debut album "Power And Pain" in 1986. One of the first East Coast thrash metal bands, drummer Tony Scaglione filled-in for Slayer's Dave Lombardo on the "Reign In Blood" Tour.

February 7, 2012: Van Halen released their 12th studio album "A Different Kind Of Truth", their first with David Lee Roth since 1984 and the only one without Michael Anthony on bass. Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang replaced Anthony for the album and tour. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - February 3, 2012.

Happy Birthday to Hallow's Eve co-founder, bassist and "fuckin' maniac" Tommy Stewart (February 7, 1959).

Happy Birthday to former Tank guitarist [1980-83] Peter Brabbs (February 7, 1957).

Remembering KISS guitarist Mark St. John, who would have celebrated a birthday today (February 7, 1956). His only album appearance was "Animalize" '84. Mark died in 2007. R.I.P.

Remembering Dark Angel guitarist Jim Durkin, who would have celebrated a birthday today (February 7, 1965). Jim died in 2023. R.I.P.

February 7, 1987: Thanks to bassist Jason Newsted leaving the band to join Metallica three months earlier, Flotsam and Jetsam's debut album "Doomsday For The Deceiver" (released in July 1986) had gained new attention worldwide, and that would put the band on the road outside their Phoenix stomping grounds, but first a show at Rockers with special guest Sacred Reich. Flotsam and Jetsam would open for Megadeth at The Ritz in New York City two weeks later.

February 7, 1987: One day before playing the Aardschok Festival in Zwolle, Netherlands, Metal Church played Forest National - Vorst Nationaal in Brussels, Belgium with Metallica, Anthrax, and Cyclone.

The February 1985 issue of Circus Magazine featured the lyrics for Iron Maiden's "Aces High" because it was 1985... A reminder how easy we have it today.