80s Metal History (May 26th)

Late-May 1983: RATT released their debut EP on their own Time Coast record label in North America (Late-June '83 in the UK) featuring "You Think You're Tough" and an earlier recording of "Back For More". The legs of Tawny Kitaen grace the cover. "Aerosmith fans will be foaming at the mouth and Aerosmith themselves will be quivering nervously, but Ratt are Ratt and don't you forget it." -Kerrang! The EP was remixed and re-released by Atlantic Records in 1984.

RATT EP release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 'Recommended LPs - June 11, 1983; [UK] Kerrang! 'just released' - July 1, 1983; Kerrang! ad - July 28, 1983.

May 26, 1986: Over a year after it was recorded, the album "Stars" from Hear 'n Aid, the metal charity record for famine relief in Africa was released in North America (June 6th in the UK) with additional songs. It was delayed because of contractual issues with the different artists' record labels. The same day, DIO single "Time To Burn" from the forthcoming DIO EP "Intermisson" was issued to American rock radio stations. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - May 23, 1986; [UK] Music Week - May 31, 1986.

Late-May 2000: With the return of singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith, anticipation had been building for new music from Iron Maiden, and we finally got to hear the first single when American rock radio began playing "The Wicker Man" ahead of the new album "Brave New World". Release information source: R&R radio trade publication ad - May 26, 2000.

May 1982: "We're ready to rock, we're ready to roll", Scorpions released "Can't Live Without You" in North America as the third single from the album "Blackout". Release information source: Debuted Billboard Mainstream Rock Chart on June 19, 1982.

May 26, 1986: It was a "Rock & Roll Beast Feast" at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines as Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Dokken, Metallica and Armored Saint performed at Iowa Jam. Dokken got their first taste of having to follow Metallica. Two years later, it would happen "Night By Night" on "The Monsters Of Rock" tour 😬

May 26, 1984: Exodus and Slayer played at Ruthie's Inn in Berkeley, California. Two different flyers for the same show... "The Heaviest Metal" and "Metal Straight From Hell!" Not sure which was more effective but both are true.

May 26, 1988: Nearing the end of the European leg of the "So Far, So Good... So What!" tour, Megadeth played at Le Zenith in Paris with support from Testament, Nuclear Assault and Sanctuary.

May 26, 1985: UFO, Slayer, Lee Aaron, Pretty Maids, Tokyo Blade, Crossfire and Warlock played the Heavy Sound Festival in Poperinge, Belgium.

May 26, 1989: Supporting her debut solo album, Doro concluded the "Force Majeure" tour at the Astoria Theatre in London. Playing only dates in Europe, she began the short tour at London's Marquee a month earlier.

May 26, 1992: The original "Handle With Care" tour of the UK was delayed in 1989, and so was the album, as Nuclear Assault "Live At The Hammersmith Odeon" was released three years after the show in London.

May 26, 1987: Opening for Anthrax, Metal Church launched the "Start The Fire" tour in Rochester, New York. Their latest album "The Dark" was a commercial success, helped by first music video "Watch The Children Pray" being played on MTV.

May 26, 2023: With new vocalist Marc Lopes (Ross the Boss, Let Us Prey), who joined in the summer of 2022 as the replacement for the late Mike Howe, Metal Church released their 13th studio album "Congregation Of Annihilation" featuring singles "Pick A God And Prey" and "Making Monsters".