'80s Metal History (March 28th)

March 1989: W.A.S.P. released their fourth studio album "The Headless Children" in North America (April 3rd in the UK) featuring Quiet Riot's Frankie Banali on drums and the last W.A.S.P. record with guitarist Chris Holmes until he rejoined the band in late 1995. With most lewd "rock and roll" lyrics replaced by politics and social issues, it was the band's highest charting LP.

W.A.S.P. "The Headless Children" release information source: [US] The March 4, 1989 issue of Billboard Magazine notes a release date of March 21, 1989. However, there is some evidence that points to a one week delay, including the April 7, 1989 issue of The Hard Report radio trade publication that notes the LP as being the No. 3 Most Added at rock radio; FMQB Concrete Top 30 Sellers Chart Debut - April 7, 1989; Debuted on the Billboard Top Pop Albums chart on April 22, 1989. [UK] Kerrang! ad - April 1, 1989.

March 1985: Slayer released their second studio album "Hell Awaits" in North America. Their '83 debut "Show No Mercy" was self-financed and became Metal Blade Records' highest-selling album so that got them label $$ for this LP which meant slightly better production.

Slayer "Hell Awaits" release information source: FMQB radio trade magazine from March 29, 1985 shows an April 8, 1985 release date. However, the ad below has a date of April 1, 1985 for an in-store record signing. Could Slayer have been signing promo copies of "Hell Awaits"? Maybe, but most upstart bands were trying to sell more records. 🤔

March 28, 1988: On the road with Warlock and Sanctuary, Megadeth brought the "So Far, So Good... So What" Tour to Tulane University in New Orleans.

March 28, 1992: Ozzy Osbourne with special guest Motörhead played Irvine, California. Ozzy invited the first two rows of the audience on stage inciting pandemonium that sent two people to the hospital and caused over $100,000 in damage.

March 28, 1995: Skid Row released their third studio album "sUBHUMAN rACE" in North America, their last with singer Sebastian Bach and drummer Rob Affuso. Featuring singles "My Enemy", "Breakin' Down" and "Into Another", the LP was a little darker than earlier works. Release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - March 17, 1989.

Canadian hard rockers Helix released their second studio album "White Lace & Black Leather" in 1981. Legend has it that when the band needed a new bass player, one person who auditioned was actor Michael J. Fox. Spoiler alert: he didn't get the job.

Atlanta thrash metal band Hallows Eve released their third studio album "Monument" in 1988 on Metal Blade featuring the track "Speed Freak" and a cover of Queen's "Sheer Heart Attack". The classic lineup broke up the following year. They reunited around 2004.

March 28, 1989: German thrash metal band Kreator released their fourth studio album "Extreme Aggression" in the UK (June '89 in North America) featuring single "Betrayer". The album's original artwork was that of a man standing in front of a bathroom mirror looking at the reflection of his face falling off, exposing Kreator's mascot demon underneath, but it was replaced. Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - March 25, 1989; [US] CMJ New Music Report - June 15, 1989.

March 1985: Manilla Road released their fourth studio album "Open The Gates". In 2019, Metal Hammer ranked it the sixth best power metal album of all time. The band achieved moderate success in the mid-'80s. Release information source: Kerrang! - April 4, 1985; Kerrang! ad - May 2, 1985.

March 28, 1983: Mötley Crüe joined KISS on the "Creatures Of The Night/10th Anniversary" Tour for five shows that included Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

March 28, 1987: "Somewhere On Tour" landed Iron Maiden at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which became infamous for a large-scale riot in the parking lot after the show. Police at the time described the post-show "riot" as the worst-ever incident at the sports complex, and it led to a ban on alcohol before concerts at the Meadowlands, announced just a few weeks later. Read More

March 1991: "Because of what happened the last time I was there, with my drunken outbursts," Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine had decided not to play any gigs in Northern Ireland. "I feel I have to re-evaluate our purpose for going back and begin to repair our relationship with our fans." -Kerrang!

March 1986: Twister Sister's Dee Snider was on the cover of Hit Parader Magazine. Inside was a chance to win an suit of armor from Armored Saint 🤘