80s Metal History (May 10th)

May 10, 1988: Testament released their second studio album "The New Order" in North America (May 16th in the UK) and with it broke into the thrash metal mainstream. Featuring single "Trial By Fire", the LP sold over 250,000 copies by 1990. The band toured with Megadeth in Europe.

Testament "The New Order" release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade magazine - April 29, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - May 21, 1988.

May 10, 1983: Metallica began recording their debut album "Metal Up Your Ass". However, the band's record label Megaforce convinced them to change the title because label head Jon Zazula thought that distributors would not stock it as it was too explicit to display. Bassist Cliff Burton responded "Aw, man, f--k ‘em. F--k those f--kers! Just kill ‘em. Kill ‘em all!"

Many sites show Twister Sister released their third studio album "Stay Hungry" on May 10, 1984. This date is NOT CORRECT. Like their previous LP, "You Can't Stop Rock 'N' Roll", the UK got it first on June 8, 1984. (UK release date source: Record-Mirror - June 2, 1984). It was issued in North America in Mid-June that year (US sources: Cashbox Magazine "forthcoming release" - June 16, 1984 and Billboard Magazine Radio Rock Albums survey chart debut - June 23, 1984. The latter is not a sales chart, only what American radio was playing a week earlier. Finally, the June 2, 1984 issue of Billboard notes a July 1, 1984 ship date for "Stay Hungry". However, with the LP debuting on the Billboard 200 on July 7, 1984 and normally a minimum of 7-10 days of sales needed to chart, it was most likely in stores third week of June 1984).

May 10, 1982: Recorded during the European leg of the "Denim And Leather" world tour, Saxon released their first live album "The Eagle Has Landed" in the UK. It was also the first Saxon LP to feature long time drummer Nigel Glockler. Release information source: BRIT Certified; Sounds Magazine ad - May 15, 1982; Debuted on the UK Official album chart on May 22, 1982.

May 10, 1981: Ozzy Osbourne's "Blizzard Of Ozz" tour made a stop in Toledo, Ohio with special guests Motörhead. Two songs from the not yet released "Diary Of A Madman" album (November '81) were played, "Believer" and "Flying High Again".

May 10, 1986: Ozzy Osbourne was featured in a Billboard Magazine ad promoting Faces and Metal Muscle Magazines that showcased the work of Mark Weiss, "The Ultimate Rock Photographer!" That night, the Madman performed in the Lone Star State, with special guest Metallica at Tarrant County Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

"The DIO E.P." was released in May 1986 and at the time was the only way to get a copy of the song "Hide In The Rainbow" from the "Iron Eagle" movie soundtrack. The last DIO recording with guitarist Vivian Campbell, it also included the "DIO Family Tree".

May 10, 1989: Manowar played the last show of the "Kings Of Metal" European Tour in Paris. Founding member and guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman played on the album, but didn't tour with the band. He was replaced by David Shankle.

Remembering original Metal Church and Reverend singer David Wayne, who died May 10, 2005 at age 47. R.I.P.

May 1984: Taking their moniker from the 1892 murderess who destroyed her parents with an axe, Lizzy Borden released their debut EP "Give ‘Em The Axe" featuring the title track, "Kiss Of Death" and a cover of Rainbow's "Long Live Rock'n' Roll".

May 1985: German metal band Grave Digger released their second studio album "Witch Hunter", issued by Megaforce Records in the US and featuring a cover of Alice Cooper's "Schools Out". The band toured with Helloween.

May 10, 1990: Mötley Crüe released the EP "Raw Tracks II" exclusively in Japan that includes a live version of "Girls, Girls, Girls" along with a cover of Tommy Bolin's "Teaser". The first "Raw Tracks" was issued in 1988 also only in Japan.

May 10, 2024: Sebastian Bach released his 6th solo studio album and first since 2014, "Child Within The Man", featuring single "What Do I Got to Lose?" issued in December 2023, as well as follow ups "Everybody Bleeds" and "(Hold On) To The Dream". The LP features guest appearances from Mötley Crüe's John 5, Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and Orianthi (Alice Cooper).

May 10, 1980: With new frontman Ronnie James Dio, Black Sabbath played the last of four consecutive nights at London's Hammersmith Odeon.

May 10, 1983: Iron Maiden played the seventh show of the "World Piece Tour" at Gaumont Hall Hall in Nottingham, England... Tickets; £3.50, £4.00, £4.50.

May 10, 1990: On their first full-length world tour, Fates Warning performed in Phoenix opening for Sanctuary.

May 1989: These headlines... "Satan?!?!?! Goes Sober!", "Mustaine's Revenge!" 😏