80s Metal History (May 21st)

May 21, 1987: Megadeth played the second of two nights at the Metroplex in Atlanta, but there was turmoil in the Deth camp as guitarist Chris Poland was accused of selling band equipment to buy heroin and according to Dave Mustaine, drummer Gar Samuelson had become too much to handle when intoxicated. Samuelson didn't show for this photo shoot. Both would be out of the band not long after (Kerrang! - October 10, 1987).

May 21, 2002: DIO released their ninth studio album "Killing The Dragon". Ronnie James Dio had stated that the "dragon" of the album title refers to technology. He expressed concern with it threatening society in the future 😑 Release information source: Blabbermouth.net - May 30, 2002.

May 1982: Released in Europe six months earlier on French label Carrere Records as Don Dokken "Breakin' The Chains" with the frontman on the cover, Dokken's debut album was re-issued as Dokken "Breakin' The Chains" with a different cover. A year later, the LP would be remixed, partially re-recorded and renamed "Breaking The Chains" before being issued again by Elektra in North America. The original Dokken had "drummer Gary Holland (who would later play with Great White from 1982-85) and guitarist Greg Leon, but they were replaced when Don Dokken picked up George Lynch because he wanted a hit and Lynch had 'Paris Is Burning' in his catalogue. Lynch demanded that Mick Brown be the drummer and the rest is history." -Kerrang! Release information source: Kerrang! ad - May 20, 1982.

May 1979: Formed two years earlier by former Coast members including singer Peter "Biff" Byford, and originally called "Son Of A Bitch", they changed their name to Saxon and released their self-titled debut album in the UK.

May 21, 1982: Raven released their second full-length album "Wiped Out" in the UK, which along with their debut a year earlier, got the attention of Megaforce Records in the US, who signed them and issued the follow up, 1983's "All For One". Release information source: Kerrang! ad - May 20, 1982.

Remembering Megadeth drummer [1989-98] Nick Menza, who died May 21, 2016 at age 51. He played on four Megadeth albums, including "Rust In Peace" and "Countdown To Extinction". R.I.P.

May 21, 1982: Rhett Forrester replaced original singer Guy Speranza and Riot released their fourth studio album "Restless Breed" in North America. A changing of the guard at the band's record label and Forrester's erratic behaviour on the road limited success. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - May 7, 1982.

May 1988: One of the most successful Japanese metal bands, Anthem released their fourth studio album "Gypsy Ways" with new lead singer Yukio Morikawa, who was working in a sushi restaurant just a few weeks before recording started.

German metal band Gravestone released their fourth album "Back To Attack" in 1985. Formed in 1977 and playing progressive rock, they switched to metal with a sound similar to Grim Reaper. Although, chronologically, the reverse applies.

May 1985: Influenced by the new wave of British heavy metal, French power metal band Nightmare released their second studio album "Power Of The Universe". Two years earlier, they opened for Def Leppard in their hometown of Grenoble.

May 21, 2010: Y&T released their 12th and final studio album "Facemelter" in Europe. It was also the last Y&T recording with bassist Phil Kennemore, who died of cancer the following year. A music video was made for single "I'm Coming Home". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - April 2, 2010.

Many sites show Cinderella released their second studio album "Long Cold Winter" on May 21, 1988. This date is NOT CORRECT. It was released July 5, 1988 in North America. Source: Billboard Magazine - July 2, 1988

May 21, 1988: In Landover, Maryland for a show at the Capitol Center, AC/DC's 11th studio album "Blow Up Your Video" had gone platinum in the states, their biggest seller since "For Those About To Rock".

May 21, 1984: At age 36, Ozzy Osbourne was much too young to be "So Tired", but the ballad from the "Bark At The Moon" album was released in the UK and would become a Top 20 hit in his home country. Ozzy was hospitalized in late February '84 "following an incident involving a broken mirror that occured during the shooting" of the music video in London. "Upon his return to the states, the Oz was found to have splinters of glass in his throat, causing painful lacerations." -Kerrang! Release date source: Kerrang! ad - May 17, 1984.