'80s Metal History (July 28th)

July 28, 1989: Most of us didn't have the funds to see all these shows back in the day, but really we should have seen all the shows! "Dream Nights" was not an exaggeration with W.A.S.P., Accept and Metal Church only $17.50.

July 28, 1987: With the "Abigail" LP in stores since mid-June, King Diamond were touring America and with special guests Trouble, played Mississippi Nights in St. Louis, Missouri... "From The Ashes Of Mercyful Fate, Screaming Apocalyptic Metal".

July 28, 1987: Calling it his "last good memory of the eighties", Ozzy Osbourne played London's Wormwood Scrubs Prison... "I want to do a special concert tour of insane asylums around the world. I’ll probably get put away in one before I get the chance."

In 1986, several metal and hard rock bands underwent changes with their lineups, including Twisted Sister (AJ Pero, "musical differences"), Stryper (Tim Gaines, "pressures of touring") and Exodus, who fired frontman Paul Baloff. 36 years later, former Exodus guitarist Rick Hunolt called that decision a "tragic mistake."

July 1976: Maybe the best song from KISS, "Detroit Rock City", was issued as the fourth (4th!) single from the album "Destroyer" and back then radio stations opted to play the B-side instead 🙄 "Me and the boys are playing" the A-side 🤘 Release information source: Cashbox Top 100 Singles chart debut - August 28, 1976.

July 28, 1988: Metallica's "Master Of Puppets" was the first thrash metal album to be certified platinum (US). Two years after its release, the band's third studio LP reached double platinum and today has sold over six million copies worldwide.

Late July 1985: While first single "Danger" from AC/DC's album "Fly On The Wall" was well-received, especially in the UK and Canada, American rock radio stations were also spinning other tracks, including "Sink The Pink"... "is pretty clunky and crude sexual innuendo. But damn if the song isn’t one of AC/DC’s most rowdy and rocking anthems." -Rolling Stone. Release information source: FMQB radio trade publication ad - August 2, 1985.

July 1983: A bit more anthemic and fist pumping than their average song, Venom released "Die Hard" as a single in the UK. Original pressings came with a poster. Kerrang! ad - July 28, 1983

Happy Birthday to Nuclear Assault co-founder and lead vocalist/guitarist John Connelly (July 28, 1962).

July 28, 1992: After leaving Judas Priest and before forming his next band Fight, Rob Halford ended up on the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" soundtrack with the song "Light Comes Out Of Black", along with Ozzy Osbourne "Party With The Animals". Release date source: Billboard Magazine - July 4, 1992.

July 1998: From the album "Virtual XI", Iron Maiden released the single "Futureal", their last with Blaze Bayley on vocals. Bruce Dickinson rejoined the band the following year.

July 1983: "SURPRISE HAS allegedly been expressed in certain quarters that W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes has recently had his picture splashed all over Kerrang! The reason for such a reaction is because Holmes is apparently on the 'wanted' list of the Los Angeles Police Department! Could this be for offences against local butchers?" The 'axe fiend' had piled up a number of 502's (drinking and driving charges) and was involved in an armed robbery, where he was the one robbed, but returned with a rifle to try to get his wallet back, but the police got there first and arrested Holmes."