80s Metal History (May 25th)

Late-May 1983: "Holy Diver", the debut album from Ronnie James Dio and his new band DIO (drummer Vinny Appice, bassist Jimmy Bain and for a minute, guitarist Jake E. Lee, before being replaced by Vivian Campbell), was released in North America (Early-June in the UK). The album cover art introduced the band's mascot Murray, a demonic creature illustrated by Randy Berrett. Dio had argued that appearances are misleading, that it could just as easily be a priest killing a devil, wanting people not to "judge a book by its cover".

DIO "Holy Diver" release information source: [US] A front page ad appeared in the June 11, 1983 issue of Billboard Magazine and the album debuted on the US Billboard Top LP & Tape chart on June 25, 1983; [UK] Kerrang! ad - June 2, 1983.

Happy Birthday to Scorpions singer Klaus Meine (May 25, 1948).

May 25, 1982: Near the end of Lar Ulrich's senior year, Metallica played a gig in the theatre at his high school, the band's first show where James Hetfield played guitar and sang. They also performed "Motorbreath" live for the first time.

Late-May 1981: Iron Maiden released their second studio album "Killers" in North America (February 16th in the UK), their last with vocalist Paul Di'Anno and first with guitarist Adrian Smith and producer Martin Birch. Image: Billboard Magazine ad - May 23, 1981

May 25, 1980: Judas Priest launched the North American leg of the "British Steel" tour in Fort Worth, Texas, opening with the thunder intro from "Metal Gods" before ripping into "Hell Bent For Leather". "Metal Gods" came four songs later.

May 25, 1993: With former Armored Saint singer John Bush replacing Joey Belladonna, Anthrax released their sixth studio album "Sound Of White Noise" in North America. Featuring single "Only", it was also their last LP with longtime lead guitarist Dan Spitz. Release date source: Billboard Magazine ad - May 22, 1993.

May 1981: Originally issued under the band name "Lips", Anvil released their debut album "Hard 'n' Heavy". Kerrang! called frontman Lips the "main strength" of Anvil "who comes on like a young Steve Tyler crossed with a butch Rob Halford".

After being rejected three times, Helix were finally signed to Capitol Records and their third studio album "No Rest For The Wicked" released in May 1983 in North America (Late-July in the UK), featuring singles "Does A Fool Ever Learn", "Never Want To Lose You" and US rock hit "Heavy Metal Love". Release information source: RPM Magazine Canada - June 4, 1983.

Late-May 1991: Ahead of the release of their new album "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge", Van Halen issued "Poundcake" as the first single. It would reach No. 1 on the US Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart.

May 25, 1992: Former Iron Maiden frontman Paul Di'Anno put together a new outfit called Killers and they released their debut album "Murder One" featuring the song "Marshall Lokjaw" (an Eddie-style character who features on the LP artwork) and a cover of Maiden's "Remember Tomorrow". Di'Anno said at the time, "Killers' aim is to put British Heavy Metal back on the map, because nobody plays it like us!" Release date source: Kerrang! - May 9, 1992.

May 25, 1988: Making their way across Canada on the "Seventh Tour Of A Seventh Tour" with opener Guns N' Roses, Iron Maiden performed in Edmonton. Keyboards were played by Steve Harris' bass tech Michael Kenney under the alias "The Count".

May 25, 1982: Motörhead were crisscrossing the US and Canada as the devil's grip of the "Iron Fist" tour tightened on Calgary with special guests Krokus and Fist.