'80s Metal History (July 25th)

July 25, 1983: Megaforce released "Kill 'Em All", the debut album from Metallica, critically praised even then as groundbreaking. "Whiplash" and "Jump In The Fire" were issued as singles and to promote it, the band co-headlined a tour with Raven. Release information source: Kerrang! ad + review - July 28, 1983.

July 25, 1980: AC/DC released their seventh studio album "Back In Black" in the UK (the following week in North America), their first with singer Brian Johnson, following the death of Bon Scott six months earlier. It has sold over 50 million copies, the second highest of all time. Release date source: [UK] Record Mirror - July 19, 1980; [US] Billboard Magazine 'Top Album Picks' - August 9, 1980.

July 25, 1989: Alice Cooper released his 11th studio album "Trash" in North America (the following week in the UK) featuring hit single "Poison", his first top ten hit since 1977's "You and Me", that drove the LP into the Top 10 in six countries, including No. 2 in the UK. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - July 29, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! review - August 5, 1989.

July 1985: Dokken released "Alone Again" as the third single from the album "Tooth And Nail" in Japan. Written by Don Dokken in the mid-'70s, it was forgotten about until a power ballad was needed for the LP and reworked with bassist Jeff Pilson.

July 1986: From "The Ultimate Sin" album, Ozzy Osbourne released the title track as a single in the UK with "Lightning Strikes" on the flip side. Kerrang! ad - July 24, 1986

Stryper released their debut EP "The Yellow And Black Attack" in North America in 1984. Unsure of the potential market for Christian metal, only 20,000 copies were pressed. Two years later, it was re-recorded, then re-released with a different cover and extra tracks on July 25, 1986. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - July 10, 1986.

July 25, 1986: Obsession released their debut album "Scarred For Life" in North America. Featuring singer Michael Vescera, who later fronted Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen, Obsession first came on the scene on Metal Blade's "Metal Massacre 2" four years earlier. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - July 10, 1986.

July 25, 1980: Originally performed by British rock band The Gun, Girlschool released a cover of "Race With The Devil" in the UK from their first studio album "Demolition". Release information source: Debuted UK Official singles chart on August 2, 1980.

July 25, 2000: Fates Warning released their ninth studio album "Disconnected" with only seven tracks, but that is six more than their previous LP (1997's "A Pleasant Shade Of Gray") which featured a single 50-minute song divided into 12 parts. Release date source: CMJ New Music Report - July 24, 2000.

July 25, 1980: KISS performed their first concert without drummer Peter Criss, introducing Eric Carr at the Palladium in New York City. "He seemed like a good soul"... others who auditioned "acted like rock stars. Eric was sweet." -Paul Stanley

July 27, 1987: Eagles Club in Milwaukee, Wisconsin played host to the "Metalmania Festival", an all-thrash extravaganza featuring 15 awesome acts including Metal Church, Nuclear Assault, Hallows Eve, Trouble and King Diamond.

July 25, 1982: "Heavy Metal Goes To The Dogs"... Motörhead, Saxon and Angelwitch highlighted seven bands playing an outdoor show at Hackney Wick Stadium, that doubled as a speedway track, in London.

July 1987: "Rumours have begun to circulate concerning the identity of Ozzy Osbourne's new guitarist... The current hot favorite to take the job formerly held by Jake E. Lee is an unknown 21-year-old from New Jersey called Zach, previously with the band Zyrus." -Kerrang!