'80s Metal History (June 26th)

Late-June 1979: Scorpions released their sixth studio album "Lovedrive" in North America (February '79 in Germany, March '79 in the UK), the first to feature Matthias Jabs on lead guitar. The cover caused some controversy in the US and later pressings had the blue scorpion on a black background.

Scorpions "Lovedrive" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 'Recommended' - July 7, 1979; Cashbox Magazine review - July 14, 1979.

June 1992: Megadeth released "Symphony Of Destruction" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Countdown To Extinction", while Metal radio stations in the US received "Skin O' My Teeth as the first single. MTV had the "Symphony Of Destruction" music video in heavy rotation until controversy led to an edit of the "too harsh" assassination scene. Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - June 26, 1992.

June 26, 1981: "So Devastating It's Unnatural!" Ozzy Osbourne brought the "Blizzard Of Ozz" tour to San Diego, California. Motörhead opened and check the ticket in the photo, the band was "Blizzard Of Ozz With Ozzy Osbourne".

June 26, 1982: Iron Maiden concluded the Canadian leg of the "Beast On The Road" tour at Verdun Auditorium in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with special guests Anvil.

June 26/27, 1987: Promoted as "Ace Frehley's Comet", the former KISS guitarist and his band made their only New York appearance at L'Amour: Rock Capital of B'klyn.

June 26, 1989: BulletBoys single "Smooth Up In Ya" hit the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart a week earlier and the music video was gaining traction on MTV.

Late-June 1990: Danzig released their second studio album "Danzig II: Lucifuge" in North America (July 2nd in the UK) featuring single "Long Way Back From Hell". Guitarist John Christ called the energetic track with galloping bass-line "one of the best songs on that album." Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication "Hard Hitters" chart debut - June 15, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! - June 26, 1990.

Late-June 2001: Island Def Jam issued "Madhouse: The Very Best Of Anthrax" without the direct participation of the band and kind of messed it up (ie, included "Time" but not "Got The Time"). Release information source: Blabbermouth.net - July 10, 2001.

June 26, 1986: Chastain released their second studio album "Ruler Of The Wasteland" in the UK (May '86 in Europe and North America), their first with drummer Ken Mary (Fifth Angel) who replaced future Cinderella drummer Fred Coury. Release date source: Kerrang! - June 26, 1986.

June 26, 1980: Supporting their debut album, Iron Maiden were touring the UK relentlessly and that included a show at the Manchester Apollo in Manchester, England.

June 1984: Years before the Black Album, some were wondering if Metallica had moved on from their thrash metal roots, and the band had not yet released their second album "Ride The Lightning"... "We're chuffed to have had such an influence on (other thrash metal acts), but what you hear from most of 'em is riff-upon-riff-upon-riff. They ignore the virtue of writing good material - and at the end of the day it's the standard of tune you're capable of delivering that matters." -Lars Ulrich as told to Kerrang!