'80s Metal History (March 26th)

March 26, 1976: Judas Priest released their second studio album "Sad Wings Of Destiny" in the UK (June '76 in North America) featuring singles "The Ripper" and "Victim Of Changes" and generally considered the record where the band consolidated their sound and image.

Judas Priest "Sad Wings Of Destiny" release information source: [UK] Melody Maker Magazine ad - March 27, 1976; [US] Cashbox Magazine review - July 10, 1976.

March 1980: Van Halen released their third studio album "Women And Children First" in North America and the UK, their first not to feature any cover songs. The band also got a little sonically heavier on this one (i.e., "And The Cradle Will Rock...").

Van Halen "Women And Children First" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - April 5, 1980; [UK] Sounds Magazine review - April 5, 1980.

Late March 1980: Three years removed from their original name "Atomic Mass", then "Deaf Leopard", then "Def Leppard" released their debut album "On Through The Night" in North America (March 14th in the UK) featuring "Rock Bridgade" and "Hello America". Release information source: Billboard Magazine Top Album Picks - April 5, 1980.

March 26, 1982: In the UK, Motörhead released the title track as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Iron Fist", which came from the time they performed live under the name "Iron Fist And The Hordes From Hell" for contractual reasons. Release date source: Record Mirror - March 20, 1982.

Released three weeks earlier in North America, Scorpions eighth studio album "Blackout" was "The fastest seller yet", having moved nearly 200,000 copies and single "No One Like You" destined for "Classic Track Status." FMQB US radio trade publication ad - March 26, 1982

March 26, 1982: Four days after its release, Iron Maiden's third studio album "The Number Of The Beast" was a smash in America with "Out of the coffin adds" at radio stations across America... "Programmers are screaming!" FMQB US radio trade publication ad - March 26, 1982

March 1986: Guns N' Roses signed with Geffen Records for an estimated $250,000. The label rep had told competing reps the band was terrible so he could close the deal. Slash took his cut and spent "almost all of it on heroin".

March 26, 1991: Metal Church released their fourth studio album "The Human Factor" on Epic. After spending much of 1989/90 touring heavily behind their most successful LP "Blessing in Disguise", the band was dropped by first label Elektra. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - March 22, 1991.

Remembering Manowar co-founder and former guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman who died March 26, 2026 at age 72. R.I.P.

Remembering drummer Randy Castillo [Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Lita Ford], who died March 26, 2002 at age 51. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to drummer Jeff Plate [Savatage, Metal Church] (March 26, 1962).

March 26, 1991: Heathen released their second studio album "Victims Of Deception" in North America. Recording actually started in 1988 but stalled when singer David White was replaced by Paul Baloff (Exodus), then David Wayne (Metal Church), then back to David White. Release date source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - March 22, 1991.

March 26, 1990: Arizona thrash metal band Atrophy released their second studio album "Violent By Nature" in North America (co-produced by Bill Metoyer, who worked on the early Slayer albums). Release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - March 23, 1990.

March 26, 1990: Playing a technical style of thrash originally evoking bands like Testament, Oakland's Defiance released their second studio album "Void Terra Firma" in North America featuring a cover of Iron Maiden's "Killers". Release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - March 23, 1990.

Recorded in Pabellón de Deportes del Real Madrid, Spanish metal band Barón Rojo released their first live album "Barón Al Rojo Vivo" in Spain in 1984.

March 26, 1976: Thin Lizzy released their sixth studio album "Jailbreak" featuring the title track and their biggest hit "The Boys Are Back In Town". It reached the Top 10 in the UK and Top 20 on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart. Release information source: [UK] Record Mirror ad - March 20, 1976; [US] Billboard Magazine ad - April 3, 1976.

March 26, 1980: After filming an appearance miming "Living After Midnight" on Top of the Pops in London, Judas Priest had to hustle back to Birmingham to resume the "British Steel" Tour. Opener Iron Maiden came off the stage at 8:30pm, but due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, Priest ended up being two hours late 😬

Metallica performed their very first show on March 14, 1982 at the Woodstock in Anaheim, California and were scheduled to play at the same venue again on March 26th, but according to former bassist Ron McGovney, "that fell through. So what did we do? We went to the Whisky and watched RATT open for Saxon. Great show as always!"

March 26, 1985: With special guest W.A.S.P., KISS played Pittsburgh. The "Animalize" World Tour would end three nights later in East Rutherford, New Jersey. "KISS would be almost camp if it weren't for the fact that the band and the music remain top-notch... There's something very likable about (Paul) Stanley, who does the rambling, semi-obscene raps before each song. He's the Sid Nice of rock. He also trashed Duran Duran and the Thompson Twins and at one point improvised humorously with a Michael Jackson doll." -Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Everyday above ground is a good day, and this 👇