'80s Metal History (July 18th)

July 18, 1981: Anthrax were formed in Queens, New York by guitarists Scott Ian and Dan Lilker, along with drummer Dave Weiss. They were named after the disease, which Ian saw in a biology textbook, because it sounded "sufficiently evil" 🤘

July 1987: "Ready to out Mötley the Crüe and out Twist TFS", Guns N' Roses' first single in the US was being promoted to radio stations... "It's high caliber, potent rock delivered by the new bad boys of the street!" Release information source: FMQB radio trade publication 'Sure Shots' - July 17, 1987.

July 18, 1977: Judas Priest performed their first US concert opening for REO Speedwagon. At the time, record labels and logistics had more to do with putting bands together. REO's Kevin Cronin has said he heard an energy that inspired him in Priest's set.

July 18, 1978: Def Leppard played their very first live show at the Westfield School in Sheffield, England. Band members were Joe Elliott, Rick Savage, Steve Clark, Pete Willis and drummer Tony Kenning (replaced by Rick Allen five months later).

July 1995: Megadeth released the EP "Hidden Treasures" in North America featuring songs that originally appeared on film soundtracks and tribute albums, including covers of Alice Cooper's "No More Mr. Nice Guy" and Black Sabbath's "Paranoid". Release information source: Debuted US Billboard Top 200 on August 5, 1995.

The cover art for the French release of "Hidden Treasures" was given much more love 🤘

Late-July 1989: Minneapolis speed metal band Powermad released their only full-length album until 2015, "Absolute Power" in North America (August 7th in the UK). A music video for the single "Nice Dreams" aired on MTV in the US and the band made an appearance in the David Lynch film "Wild At Heart". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - July 21, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! - August 12, 1989.

July 18, 1989: Lizzy Borden released their fourth studio album "Master Of Disguise" in North America (August 7th in the UK). The concept record was a slight departure from their previous work, but became their most successful, spending 10 weeks on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - June 16, 1989 (Note: starting in April '89, all US albums were released on Tuesdays); [UK] Kerrang! - July 15, 1989.

Lizzy Borden with Metal Blade CEO Brian Slagel at the "Master Of Disguise" listening party.

July 1986: After the short-lived band "Di'Anno" and a one-off with "Gogmagog", former Iron Maiden singer Paul Di'Anno formed "Paul Di'Anno's Battlezone" and they released their debut album "Fighting Back" in the UK. Release information source: Kerrang! - July 24, 1986.

Happy Birthday to producer and Judas Priest touring guitarist Andy Sneap (July 18, 1969).

July 18, 1986: King Diamond and Megadeth played the first of two nights at L'Amour's in Brooklyn... "the outfit I saw tonight was far more powerful and cohesive than Mercyful Fate were even at their best. Quite simply it was a stunning performance..." -Kerrang! review (Aug. 21, 1986).

July 18, 1981: Black Sabbath were scheduled to co-headline "Heavy Metal Holocaust" with Motörhead at Port Vale FC, but pulled out to finish recording the "Mob Rules" album. They were replaced by Ozzy Osbourne.