'80s Metal History (April 6th)

Happy Birthday to former Accept and current U.D.O. singer Udo Dirkschneider (April 6, 1952).

April 6, 1979: With no album, record label or radio airplay, Twisted Sister sold out The Palladium in New York City (cap. 3,000) thanks to the band's "S.M.F." fan base. The show was originally scheduled for March 16th, but canceled at the last minute when guitarist Eddie Ojeda suffered a seizure during rehearsal. A record deal came three years later with UK indie label Secret Records.

April 6, 1984: With their new album "Fistful Of Metal" in US record stores, it was a "Special No Frills Just Kills Show" with Anthrax at Union Jack on the New Jersey Turnpike with opener The Beast, most likely performing the never recorded "Bones For Breakfast".

April 6, 1981: Whitesnake released their fourth studio album "Come An' Get It" in the UK (May 8, 1981 in North America). Produced by Martin Birch (Iron Maiden), David Coverdale later named the record his favorite album of the band's early years. Release information source: [UK] Record Mirror - March 21, 1981; [US] Unknown Newspaper - May 22, 1981.

April 6, 1993: With former RATT frontman Stephen Pearcy and Cinderella drummer Fred Coury, rock supergroup Arcade released their first studio album in North America, featuring Top 30 rock hits "Nothin' To Lose" and "Cry No More". Release date source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - February 5, 1993.

April 6, 1993: Savatage released their seventh studio album "Edge Of Thorns" in North America, their last with guitarist Criss Oliva, who died six months later, and first with lead vocalist Zachary Stevens. Original singer Jon Oliva only produced and wrote songs for the LP. Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - April 2, 1993.

April 6, 1993: Recorded at the Los Angeles Palladium, Testament released live EP "Return To The Apocalyptic City" in North America. One new song included was "Reign Of Terror", recorded during "The New Order" sessions in 1987–88, but did not appear on that album. Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - April 2, 1993.

April 1987: Dedicated to Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott, who died a year earlier, Pretty Maids released their second studio album "Future World" in the UK (one month later in North America). Producer Eddie Kramer was fired because he fell asleep at the mixing console.

Pretty Maids "Future World" release informaton source: [UK] Kerrang! review - April 2, 1987; Kerrang! ad - April 30, 1987; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - May 8, 1987.

April 6, 1987: Previously known as Flatbacker, Japanese rockers EZO released their American debut album "EZO". Featuring singles "Here It Comes" and "Flashback Heart Attack", the LP was produced by KISS' Gene Simmons. Release date source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - March 27, 1987.

From Jonquière, Quebec, Canadian metal band Voivod released their third studio album "Killing Technology" in 1987, the first to combine elements of progressive rock in the band's thrash metal sound. A music video was made for single "Ravenous Medicine".

German heavy metal band Stormwitch released their third studio album "Stronger Than Heaven" in 1986. Predating contemporaries Helloween by a year, the album is not as "Happy Halloween" as the cover would suggest.

Brazilian thrash metal band Attomica released their second studio album "Limits Of Insanity" in 1989. 20 years later, they removed the second 'T' in their name, saying "it was a mistake done by the previous manager who was influenced by numerology".

Los Angeles Christian glam metal band Holy Solider released their debut album in 1990 featuring singles "Fear No Evil" and "Stranger". With a look, sound and message similar to Stryper, the band won two Dove Awards the following year.

April 6, 1991: Queensrÿche's "Silent Lucidity" hit No. 1 on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The band's biggest hit, it would peak at No. 9 on the Hot 100 in June that year.

If you lived in Los Angeles in the '80s, hopefully you didn't take all the great shows for granted. On April 6, 1985, Loudness (of course they opened with "Crazy Nights") and special guest Dokken (who replaced the originally advertised Warrior), played the Hollywood Palladium. If seeing this ad for the first time, you may have missed the Raven and Thor show in late March, but you were on notice that Venom and Slayer tickets were on sale for April 19th 🤘

Remembering Plastmatics lead singer Wendy O. Williams, who died April 6, 1998 at age 48. R.I.P. “She was great, I used to f**k her. Although sometimes you ought to say she f**ked me. She was a workout freak, muscles like steel rope.” -Lemmy Kilmister, Motörhead.