'80s Metal History (March 9th)

March 9, 1979: Motörhead released their second studio album "Overkill" in the UK. An unexpected success, it reached No. 24 on the UK Album Chart. In 2011, frontman Lemmy said "[...] by the time of Overkill we were getting our sound together."

Motörhead "Overkill" release date source: [UK] Record Business trade publication "will be released imminently" - February 26, 1979; Sounds Magazine "Overkill" feature - March 3, 1979; New Musical Express & Music Week ads - March 10, 1979; Debuted Record Business album chart - March 17, 1979; Debuted UK Official Chart on March 24, 1979.

After replacing singer Paul Di'Anno with Bruce Dickinson, British fans weren't sure Iron Maiden would be the same and Kerrang! reported the band's public profile at home had "lowered to the point of collapse." 😮 "Run To The Hills" was issued as a single in February 1982 and would reach No. 7 on the UK chart in early March, the band's biggest hit yet and a sign they just may do okay with their forthcoming album "The Number Of The Beast". 🤘

March 9, 1984: KISS brought the "Lick It Up" Tour to New York City for the first of two nights at Radio City Music Hall with opener Accept, who were promoting their new album "Balls To The Wall".

Several sources have March 9, 1984 as the date Megadeth released 100 copies of a three track demo cassette tape titled "Last Rites". '80s Metal History was not able to confirm this exact date, only the year. Track list: 1. Last Rites / Loved to Deth 04:16, 2. Mechanix 03:59, 3. The Skull Beneath the Skin 03:11

March 9, 2018: Judas Priest released their 18th studio album "Firepower", their first since 1988's "Ram It Down" to be produced by Tom Allom and first with Priest touring guitarist Andy Sneap as co-producer. It is the band's highest-charting album in the US. Release date source: Blabbermouth - March 14, 2018

March 9, 2004: Tesla released their fifth studio album and first in ten years, "Into The Now" in North America. With Tommy Skeoch in rehab for substance abuse, the band had been on a six-year hiatus, but returned with a gem that was well received by fans. Release date source: Blabbermouth - January 6, 2004

Founded in early 1983, San Diego metal band Victim released their debut album "Power Hungry" a year later.

March 1992: Vince Neil departed Mötley Crüe a month earlier and the band was zeroing in on a new singer. After auditioning Kik Tracee's Stephen Shareaux and BulletBoys frontman Marq Torien, they settled on former Scream vocalist John Corabi. -Kerrang!

March 1985: The self-titled debut album from Metal Church on independent record label Ground Zero made its way to the UK (July 1984 in North America), which proved to be a success and led to the band signing with major label Elektra, who reissued the LP later that year. Release information source: Kerrang! review - March 7, 1985.

Skid Row brought the "Slave To The Grind" Tour to Sacramento, California, one of 169 shows the band played in 16 countries.

March 9, 1992: With their biggest hit "Silent Lucidity" still in our subconcious a year after its release, Queensrÿche issued "Anybody Listening?" as a single. The other power ballad from the "Empire" album reached No. 16 on the US Billboard Rock chart. Release information source: [US] HITS radio trade publication ad - March 9, 1992.

March 1985: Quiet Riot frontman Kevin DuBrow's tirades led to fan backlash and clashes in the media with several other L.A.-based metal bands, which resulted in Rudy Sarzo quitting the group. He was later replaced by Chuck Wright. -Kerrang!

March 1989: Post-Warlock, singer Doro had just released her debut solo album "Force Majeure" and got the cover of Metal Hammer Magazine, "In Her Own Words".