'80s Metal History (July 14th)

July 14, 1986: Originally titled "Riding With The Driver", Motörhead released their sixth studio album "Orgasmatron" in the UK (September '86 in North America), their first to feature two guitarists, Phil "Wizzö" Campbell and Michael "Würzel" Burston.

Motörhead "Orgasmatron" release date source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 5, 1986; [US] The Gavin Report radio trade publication review - September 24, 1986; The Gavin Report ad - October 3, 1986; Debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart November 29, 1986.

July 14, 1992: Megadeth released their fifth and most successful studio album "Countdown To Extinction" in North America (July 10th in the UK). Featuring some of their best known songs ("Symphony Of Destruction", "Sweating Bullets"), it reached No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 album chart.

Megadeth "Countdown To Extinction" release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ads - July 10 and 17, 1992; [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 11, 1992.

Remembering Cinderella guitarist Jeff LeBar, who died July 14, 2021 at age 58. R.I.P.

Remembering former Megadeth drummer Gary Charles "Gar" Samuelson, who died July 14, 1999 at age 41. Gar played on their first two albums and is considered one of the most influential drummers of thrash metal. R.I.P.

July 1986: Megaforce Worldwide issued "Metal Of Honor", the first full-length album from New Jersey metal band T.T. Quick, featuring vocalist Mark Tornillo who has been the frontman for Accept since 2009. Release information source: [US] Cashbox Magazine 'Records To Watch' - July 26, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 24, 1986; The LP would appear on Kerrang!'s import chart in early August and get an official release in September.

July 14, 1979: Samson with singer "Bruce Bruce" Dickinson and Saxon co-headlined a show in Guildford, England. Plus if you came early, you might enjoy the Heavy Metal Sound House DJ and opening band "Iron Maiden".

July 14, 1982: In support of their fifth studio album "Diver Down", Van Halen launched the "Hide Your Sheep!" Tour in Augusta, Georgia. 96 shows later the tour ended with VH headlining the US Festival's "Heavy Metal Day" on May 29, 1983.

July 14, 1989: After concluding the "MTV Headbangers Ball Tour" with Anthrax and Helloween in May, Exodus returned to the road promoting their latest album "Fabulous Disaster" after a hometown show in San Francisco at the Fillmore with fellow thrashers Forbidden.

Happy Birthday to original Trouble drummer [1979–86, 93–08] Jeff "Oly" Olson (July 14, 1962).

July 14, 1980: Whitesnake released their third studio album "Ready An' Willing" in North America (May 23rd in the UK) featuring the original "Fool For Your Loving", later re-recorded for 1989's "Slip Of The Tongue". This was the band's first LP issued in the states. Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine front page ad for first single "Fool For Your Loving" from the forthcoming LP - July 12, 1980; Magazine ad with release date; [UK] Record Mirror ad - May 24, 1980.

, featuring guest appearances by Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, and Tommy Aldridge, the latter stepped in after longtime drummer Philthy Animal Taylor was fired early in the recording process. Release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - June 26, 1992; [UK] Debuted Official album chart on August 8, 1992.

July 14, 1992: Canadian hard rockers Killer Dwarfs released their fifth studio album "Method To The Madness" in North America featuring singles "Hard Luck Town" and "Driftin' Back". The band toured for several years after, but then parted ways until 2001. Release date source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - June 26, 1992.

July 14, 2009: Produced by Tom Allom, who hadn’t worked with the band since 1988's "Ram It Down", Judas Priest released "A Touch Of Evil: Live" in North America (one day earlier in the UK). "Dissident Aggressor" won the 2010 Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - July 7, 2009.