'80s Metal History (April 13th)

April 13, 1987: Testament released their debut album in North America. The band, known as "Legacy" up until about a month before the LP's release, changed their name and called the album "The Legacy" after finding out there was a jazz band named "Legacy".

Testament "The Legacy" release date source: [US] Metal Forces Magazine 1987 Issue 23 + one other publication from the same year.

After only a handful of shows, Randy Rhoads replacement guitarist Bernie Tormé was replaced by Brad Gillis (Night Ranger), who played his first show with Ozzy Osbourne on the "Diary Of A Madman" Tour in Binghamton, New York on April 13, 1982.

April 13, 1992: In the UK, Iron Maiden released "Be Quick Or Be Dead" in the UK as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Fear Of The Dark". The band's first single co-written by guitarist Janick Gers, it reached No. 2 on the Official Singles Chart. Release date source: Kerrang! ad - March 28, 1992 & April 18, 1992.

From their latest album "Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part I", Helloween released single "Future World" as a 12 inch picture vinyl in 1987. The band posted on social media in 2020 "And the feeling of togetherness is still at our side!"

Anvil released the follow up to "Metal On Metal", their third studio album "Forged In Fire" in 1983. The band had just signed a managing contract with Aerosmith's manager to get them a major label recording deal, but that did not happen.

April 13, 1985: With the release of their debut album "Ready To Strike", Carmine Appice's new band King Kobra were getting attention in the UK with Sounds Magazine calling the "guitar sound gloriously filthy" and "just grab Appice of this!"

April 13, 1984: Managed by Wendy Dio, Rough Cutt played a one-off show in the UK at London's Marquee Club. The band would get a record deal with Warner that same year and issue their debut album in February 1985. -Kerrang!

April 13, 1984: From Phoenix, Arizona and originally known as The Schoolboys, they changed their name to Icon and released their self-titled debut album, featuring tracks "On Your Feet" and "Killer Machine". Release information source: [US} CMJ New Music Report - April 9, 1984; Kerrang! - March 22, 1984.

April 1987: Crossover thrashers Suicidal Tendencies transitioned from hardcore punk to more thrash metal with the release of their second studio album "Join The Army", their first with guitarist Rocky George and drummer R.J. Herrera. Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication "Best Sellers" chart debut - April 24, 1987.

Happy Birthday to W.A.S.P. co-founder and original guitarist Randy Piper (April 13, 1953).

Remembering Van Halen manager [1979-85] Noel Monk, who passed away April 13, 2022. R.I.P. He also worked with VH as their tour manager in 1978. His book "Runnin' With The Devil" is a must-read.

Remembering UFO, Michael Schenker Group and Waysted keyboardist/guitarist Paul Raymond, who died April 13, 2019 at age 73. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to Italian extreme metal band Bulldozer frontman Alberto "A.C. Wild" Contini (April 13, 1961).

April 1979: Thin Lizzy released their ninth studio album "Black Rose: A Rock Legend" in the UK (the following month in North America), the first time that guitarist Gary Moore stuck around long enough to record an album, after previous brief stints in 1974 and 1977 with the band. The Guardian called it one of the band's "greatest, most successful albums" and it turned out to be Thin Lizzy's highest-charting LP in the UK, peaking at No. 2.

Thin Lizzy "Black Rose: A Rock Legend" release information: [UK} Most sites show Friday, April 13, 1979. However, some evidence [including a front page ad in the April 28th issue of Music Week and a UK Official Chart debut at No. 5 on May 5, 1979] points to a late April release date; [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - May 25, 1979.

April 1983: With his debut solo album "Holy Diver" set to be released the following month, Ronnie James Dio opened up to Kerrang! about why he left Black Sabbath.