'80s Metal History (July 21st)

July 21, 1987: Guns N' Roses released their debut album "Appetite For Destruction" in North America (one day earlier in the UK) to little attention except for the original cover which was replaced in the US. The LP didn't takeoff until "Welcome To The Jungle" began receiving American radio airplay in early 1988.

Guns N' Roses "Appetite For Destruction" release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - July 17, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! - June 25, 1987; Kerrang! ad - August 20, 1987.

July 21, 1987: DIO released their fourth studio album "Dream Evil" in North America (August 10th in the UK) featuring singles "I Could Have Been A Dreamer" and "All The Fools Sailed Away". Former Rough Cutt guitarist Craig Goldy replaced Vivian Campbell.

DIO "Dream Evil" release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - July 4, 1987; Billboard ad - July 25, 1987; [UK] Magazine ad; Debuted on the Official album chart on August 22, 1987.

July 21, 1980: With singer Bruce Dickinson, Samson played the Aberdeen Music Hall and "Coming Soon", Ozzy Osbourne's new band "Blizzard Of Oz" (ex Black Sabbath and Uriah Heep). It was never really solo Ozzy.

Happy Birthday to "Metal Queen" Lee Aaron (July 21, 1962).

July 1982: Loudness released their second studio album "Devil Soldier" featuring the song "Angel Dust". The LP won the award for Heavy Metal record of the year in Japan.

July 1985: Founded in Tokyo in 1980, one of the most successful Japanese metal bands (alongside Loudness and Earthshaker) Anthem, released their self-titled debut album featuring single "Wild Anthem".

July 1986: Accept released "T.V. War" as a single in Japan from their seventh studio album "Russian Roulette", the last with singer Udo Dirkschneider until the band's 1993 reunion album "Objection Overruled".

Happy Birthday to former Faith No More guitarist [1983-93] Big Jim Martin (July 21, 1961).

July 21, 1998: Anthrax released their eighth studio album "Volume 8: The Threat Is Real". Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell and singer Phil Anselmo were guests on the LP and now Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante is playing drums on the Pantera tour. Release information source: Debuted US Billboard 200 album chart on August 8, 1998.

July 21, 1990: Kerrang! reported that the release of the second studio album from Bay Area thrashers Vio-Lence, titled "Oppressing The Masses", had been shelved because of Megaforce/Atlantic Records' objection to the lyrical content in the song "Torture Tactics". Eventually, the track was removed (except in Japan) and the LP released in the US on August 21st that year.

July 21, 1992: Guns N' Roses and Metallica played the third night of their co-headlining tour in Pontiac, Michigan. After performing "You Could Be Mine", Axl Rose vomited onstage, apologized for the poor performance, then played the song again.