'80s Metal History (April 21st)

April 21, 2009: The concert documentary "Iron Maiden: Flight 666" was screened in 41 countries globally, making it the largest simultaneous worldwide release of a documentary. Metal Hammer magazine declared April 21st as "Iron Maiden Day" (which should be everyday, but okay 🤘). The film follows the band on the first leg of the 2008 "Somewhere Back In Time" World Tour, where they traveled on their own customized Boeing 757, "Ed Force One".

April 21, 1985: "Tell your wimp friends to listen to some real metal..." Venom were on their first American tour and along with Slayer laid waste to Phoenix.

April 1985: With Yngwie Malmsteen's debut album now available in North America, Guitar Player Magazine included a square flexi-disc single of "Black Star"... Just tear it out and throw it on your turntable 👍

April 1988: American rock radio stations received an advance copy of "Ashes To Ashes", the first single from the forthcoming Vinnie Vincent Invasion album "All Systems Go" due a month later. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Most Added' - April 29, 1988.

Remembering Megaforce records co-founder Marsha Zazula, who would have celebrated a birthday today (April 21, 1952). Marsha died in 2021 at age 68. R.I.P. Megaforce released the first albums from Metallica, Anthrax and many others.

Happy Birthday to original Lynch Mob lead singer Oni Logan (April 21, 1968).

Alongside Loudness and Earthshaker, one of the most successful Japanese metal bands, Anthem, released their second studio album "Tightrope" in 1986, showcasing a more catchy, melodic sound but not letting up on the speed and intensity.

April 1984: From the album "Defenders Of The Faith", Judas Priest issued "Love Bites" as a promotional single to American rock radio stations. A rare promo only picture disc was also released at some point with only 250 copies available worldwide. Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - April 20, 1984.

April 1988: Featuring guitarists Jason Becker and Marty Friedman, Cacophony released their debut studio album "Speed Metal Symphony" in North America, a showpiece of highly technical playing and '80s shredding. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - April 29, 1988.

Remembering Krokus drummer [1987–89] Dani Crivelli, who died April 21, 2013. R.I.P.

April 21, 1986: Touring the UK, Twisted Sister played The Apollo in Manchester, England.

"The success has f**ked with everybody's heads so much, we're sort of like...clinging to each other for support and to keep some sort of mental balance, y'know?" -Slash as told to Kerrang! (April 1989)

April 1987: Manowar were on the cover of Greece's "Heavy Metal" Magazine. Inside were posters of Yngwie Malmsteen, Manowar, Venom, W.A.S.P. and sandwiched between them for some reason, Bon Jovi 🤔 The metal genre was still being defined in the '80s.