'80s Metal History (June 22nd)

June 22, 1992: With the return of singer Ronnie James Dio, drummer Vinny Appice and bassist Geezer Butler, the "Mob Rules" lineup had reunited and Black Sabbath released their 16th studio album "Dehumanizer" in the UK (June 30th in North America).

Black Sabbbath "Dehumanizer" release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - May 16, 1992; Kerrang! ad - June 27, 1992; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - June 5, 1992; Billboard Magazine ad - July 4, 1992.

June 22, 1982: Iron Maiden played Ottawa, Ontario, Canada for the first time. Before the show, the band did a meet and greet at a SuperClef record store and afterwards were treated to a shopping spree… any tunes they wanted… they took mostly cassettes. Read More

June 22, 1987: Anvil released their fourth studio album "Strength Of Steel" in North America (May 20th in the UK), their first after signing with Metal Blade records and their sole charting LP on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. A music video was made for the song "Mad Dog". Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - June 5, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! - April 30, 1987.

June 22, 1985: Scorpions, Deep Purple, UFO and more played the Knebworth Festival in Stevenage, England. It rained so much that the show has been referred to by those who attended as "Mudworth". The volume was limited to 90DB by the authorities.

Remembering Pantera co-founder and drummer Vinnie Paul, who died June 22, 2018 at age 54. R.I.P.

June 22, 2004: Despite a "trademark infringement" lawsuit brought by Axl Rose, Cleopatra Records released "The Roots Of Guns N' Roses" featuring demos from Hollywood Rose and remixes by former guitarist Gilby Clarke and Cinderella drummer Fred Coury.

June 22, 1987: "Yngwie Malmsteen was involved in a one-car accident in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles... His 1974 E-Type Jaguar hit a tree at approx. 8:30 in the morning while en route to the supermarket, sending the 24-year-old Swede through the windscreen and injuring a member of his road crew who was in the passenger seat of the car. Yngwie was taken to L.A.'s Northridge Hospital where he slipped into a coma, though happily he has now regained conciousness and is out of danger." -Kerrang!

June 1990: European guitar hero David Chastain and his band Chastain released their fifth studio album "For Those Who Dare" in the UK. New members David Harbour and John Luke Hebert were part of the band that played on Chastain vocalist Leather Leone's solo album "Shock Waves" a year earlier. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - June 23, 1990.

June 22, 2004: Motörhead released their 17th studio album "Inferno" in North America (one day earlier in Europe), their heaviest in years with songs such as "In The Name Of Tragedy". Steve Vai made a guest appearance on the LP, playing lead guitar on the first track "Terminal Show". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - April 19, 2004.

June 22, 2010: Ozzy Osbourne released his 11th studio album "Scream" in North America (June 14th in the UK). Ozzy's only LP with guitarist Gus G., it features the single "Let Me Hear You Scream". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - May 25, 2010.

June 22, 2004: After experimenting with different concepts and influences in the '90s, Scorpions returned to the style of music of their most successful albums and released their 15th studio LP "Unbreakable" in North America (April 2004 in Europe). Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - May 23, 2004.

June 22, 2010: Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil released his fourth and most recent solo album "Tattoos And Tequila" with two new songs, the title track and "Another Bad Day"... the rest all covers. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - June 30, 2010.

June 1984: While in Vancouver, British Columbia recording their eighth studio album "Midnite Maniac" (later retitled "The Blitz"), Krokus took karate lessons. "Of course, training of this sort can come in rather useful... If you want (Marc) Storace to sing a little higher, then...well." -Kerrang!