80s Metal History (May 12th)

May 12, 1992: Exploring a more melodic approach while still maintaining their thrash roots, Testament released their fifth studio album "The Ritual" in North America (one day earlier in the UK), the last with original drummer Louie Clemente and guitarist Alex Skolnick (Alex returned in 2005). Lead single "Electric Crown" was issued to American rock radio stations in late April '92. Release date source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - April 10, 1992; Kerrang! review - May 9, 1992.

May 1980: The new Judas Priest album "British Steel" was now available in North America (April 11, 1980 in the UK) featuring singles "Living After Midnight" and "Breaking The Law". Sound effects in "Law" are smashing milk bottles and billiard cues while trays of cutlery were used in "Metal Gods". The North American leg of the "British Steel" tour began May 25th in Fort Worth, Texas. Release information source: Billboard Magazine Recommended LPs - May 17, 1980; Billboard ad - May 24, 1980.

May 12, 1992: Lars Ulrich and Slash announced that Metallica and Guns N' Roses would tour together that summer. During negotiations, Metallica insisted they play first every night so they would be paid whether GnR showed up or not 😬

May 12, 1981: Van Halen launched the "Fair Warning" tour (also dubbed the "W.D.F.A." tour for "We Don't Fuck Around") in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. VH would trash the stage every night with confetti, streamers and blow-up sex dolls.

May 1984: Mötley Crüe filmed the music video for "Too Young To Fall In Love", the last single issued from the "Shout At The Devil" album. Image: Billboard Magazine - May 12, 1984.

May 1977: British rock legends UFO released their sixth album, the pinnacle of their studio career, "Lights Out", featuring the title track "Too Hot To Handle", and Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris' favorite, the seven-minute opus "Love To Love". Release information source: [UK] Debuted Official album chart on June 4, 1977; [US] Debuted Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart on June 11, 1977.

Happy Birthday to former Badlands and current KISS drummer Eric Singer (May 12, 1958).

Happy Birthday to The Cult guitarist Billy Duffy (May 12, 1961).

Remembering Badlands (and briefly Black Sabbath) singer Ray Gillen, who would have celebrated a birthday today (May 12, 1959). Ray died in 1993. R.I.P.

May 1986: A year after dropping the name Avenger, German metal band Rage released their debut album "Reign Of Fear". One review called opener "Scared To Death" "going off the hinges while still keeping it catchy and slightly under control."

May 1986: Fronted by Sabina Classen, German thrash metal band Holy Moses released their debut album "Queen Of Siam" featuring the song "Necropolis".

May 12, 1986: "Added By Overwhelming Demand", a second show at the L.A. Sports Arena in Southern California for Judas Priest and Dokken and while in SoCal, Priest took time out to party with other hot rockers at a place called Ice. -Kerrang!

May 12, 2008: In conjunction with the world tour, Iron Maiden released "Somewhere Back In Time - The Best Of: 1980 - 1989" containing a selection of songs originally recorded for their first eight albums, including "Live After Death".