'80s Metal History (April 5th)

April 5, 1985: It was originally titled "A Lesson In Violence", but there was no suitable cover idea, so Exodus went with "Bonded By Blood" and released their debut album in North America (April 19th in the UK). The LP was actually completed the previous summer, but delayed because of record label issues ☹️

Exodus "Bonded By Blood" release date source: [US] Concert flyer; In-store appearance - April 12, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! - March 7, 1985.

April 5, 1982: Having just restarted the "Diary Of A Madman" Tour after the death of guitarist Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne played Madison Square Garden in New York City with guitarist Bernie Tormé, who was replaced by Brad Gillis a week later.

April 5, 1986: Accept brought the lenghty "'86 World Tour" to London's Hammersmith Odeon with opener Dokken. Their new album "Russian Roulette" hit record shops the same month Images: Kerrang!

April 1988: After a serious car accident that put him in a coma for a week and losing his mother to cancer, Yngwie Malmsteen released his fourth studio album "Odyssey" in North America (May 2nd in the UK) with a new singer, former Rainbow vocalist Joe Lynn Turner.

Yngwie J. Malmsteen's Rising Force "Odyssey" release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - April 8, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - May 7, 1988.

Remembering drummer Cozy Powell (Rainbow, MSG, Whitesnake, Black Sabbath), who died April 5, 1998 at age 50. R.I.P.

Remembering composer, lyricist and producer Paul O'Neill, who died April 5, 2017 at age 61. He is best known for his work with Savatage but also produced Metal Church and Badlands and founded Trans-Siberian Orchestra. R.I.P.

Remembering Firehouse singer C.J. Snare, who died April 5, 2024 at age 64. R.I.P.

Remembering KISS guitarist Mark St. John, who died April 5, 2007 at age 51. His only album appearance was on 1984's "Animalize". R.I.P.

April 5, 1986: Propelled by single "Shot In The Dark", Ozzy Osbourne's fourth studio album "The Ultimate Sin" peaked at No. 6 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart, his first LP to reach the Top 10. It went platinum the following month.

April 5, 1980: Sounds Magazine in the UK reported Iron Maiden were once featured as not a "New Wave Of British Heavy Metal" band, but a "New Wave" band... "Then Steve Harris' merrymen were prone to describing themselves as 'visual energy rock', 'aggressive', 'bloody shock rock' and 'Detroit rock'. And even then 'Prowler' and 'Iron Maiden' were featured in their set."

Anthrax "The Island Years" was issued by the band's former label in 1994 to fulfill their contract obligation. The first Anthrax full-length live album, it features vocalist Joey Belladonna, who had been replaced two years earlier by John Bush.

Canadian speed/thrash metal pioneers Razor released their debut album "Executioner's Song" in 1985. Formed two years earlier, the band has been referred to as one of their country's "Big Four", alongside Sacrifice, Voivod and Annihilator.

Originally known as Satan, then Blind Fury, then Pariah, the latter released the album "Blaze Of Obscurity" in 1989, more of a power/heavy metal sound than the proto-thrash/speed metal Satan was known for.

April 1985: Previously known as Holland, but forced to change it after a threatened lawsuit by a Canadian band with the same name, Hammer (much better name anyway) released their debut album "Contract With Hell" in the UK. The band called it a day a year later. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - April 4, 1985.

April 5, 1980: With their debut album in UK record shops, a young Def Leppard launched the "On Through The Night" Tour at St. Albans City Hall in Hertfordshire, England, the first of 146 shows that would take them through six countries.

April 5, 1986: "And at long last, the Whiskey A Go Go reopens its doors as the major Hollywood rock n’ roll nightclub it once was, and ‘Guns N’ Roses’ was called in to christen this historic event as the first band to play there in almost five years! Opening the show will be Hollywood’s new band ‘Faster Pussycat’ at 9:00 and hot on the huge success in New York, ‘Angels in Vain’ at 10:00." [Guns N' Roses Newsletter No. 4, March 1986].

April 1989: Kerrang! reported that Megadeth were in "turmoil, after manager Doug Thaler suspended operations with the band... "because they have numerous personal problems that they have to sort out before they can get back to music."

From Mark Weiss "The Decade That Rocked": "The photographer I shared the studio with" (left behind an Easter Bunny outfit). "It’s your costume (Ozzy) we’re doing an Easter theme for the cover of the magazine. Ozzy screamed, 'Sharrrrron!'"