80s Metal History (May 29th)

May 29, 1983: The US Festival drew some of music's biggest stars, but Day 2 devoted to heavy metal, drew the biggest crowds. Quiet Riot opened, followed by Mötley Crüe, Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, Triumph, Scorpions and Van Halen.

May 29, 2000: With singer Bruce Dickinson and guitarist Adrian Smith back in the band, Iron Maiden released their 12th studio album "Brave New World" in the UK (the following day in North America) featuring lead single "The Wicker Man". Release date source: [UK] Music Week - May 27, 2000; [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - May 26, 2000.

May 29, 1982: Scorpions eighth studio album "Blackout" peaked at No. 10 on the US Billboard 200. Featuring No. 1 rock hit "No One Like You", the album went Top 20 in five countries, including No. 1 in France.

May 29, 1989: Accept released their eighth studio album "Eat The Heat" in North America (August 21st in the UK), their only LP with David Reece on vocals and until 2010, the only Accept album without singer Udo Dirkschneider. U.D.O. covered the song "X-T-C" on 2001's "A Tribute To Accept II". Release date source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - May 5, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! - August 19, 1989.

Happy Birthday to Wolfsbane and former Iron Maiden singer [1994-99] Blaze Bayley (May 29, 1963).

Late-May 1985: Warlock released their second studio album "Hellbound" in Europe (September 20, 1985 in the UK) and started to receive attention from the media and appear in UK and German TV shows. They were elected "Best New Band" of '85 in a Kerrang Magazine readers' poll. Release information source: [Europe] Music & Media Magazine ad - June 24, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! - September 5, 1985;

May 29, 1990: Bay area thrashers Forbidden released their second studio album "Twisted Into Form" in North America (July '90 in the UK) featuring songs "Infinite" and "Step By Step". It was their last LP with drummer Paul Bostaph who replaced Dave Lombardo in Slayer two years later. Release information source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - May 25, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 14, 1990.

May 29, 1987: From Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville in Quebec, Canadian metal band Sword finally saw their debut album "Metalized" released in the US (August 1986 in Canada). The band toured with Motörhead and Alice Cooper, as well as Metallica on the '86 "Damage, Inc." tour. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - May 22, 1987.

May 29, 1989: Chastain front woman Leather Leone released her first solo studio album "Shock Waves" in North America featuring single "All Your Neon". The LP was produced by bandmate David T. Chastain and released on his label Leviathan Records. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - May 5, 1989.

May 29, 1990: DIO with opener Trouble played London's Hammersmith Odeon. For the last song before the encore, DIO were joined by Iron Maiden's Nicko McBrain on drums for "Rainbow In The Dark". Image: Kerrang!.

May 29, 1986: "Please welcome from Noo Yawk City, the heaviest band in the world...Anthraax!" and with that introduction, the "Madhouse" was open at Hammersmith Palais in London. -Kerrang!

May 29, 1991: Launched two weeks earlier in Dallas, the second "Clash Of The Titans" tour of North America, co-headlined by Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax, arrived in Portland, Oregon.

May 29, 1981: "Now The Axe Falls On America", Iron Maiden's second album "Killers" was just issued in North America (Feb. 16 in the UK) and making noise at rock radio with single "Wrathchild".