'80s Metal History (July 4th)

July 1986: Flotsam and Jetsam released their debut album "Doomsday For The Deceiver" in North America, their only LP with bassist Jason Newsted before he left for Metallica. Newsted wrote most of the lyrics and his songwriting contributions also appeared on the next album. Issued in October '86 in the UK, Kerrang! Magazine gave the LP six K's (stars) out of five, calling Flotsam and Jetsam "damn near the perfect thrash band."

Flotsam and Jetsam "Doomsday For The Deceiver" release information source: [US] Concert ad - May 11, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! Indie Metal Chart debut - October 30, 1986.

Happy Birthday to Slaughter co-founder and singer Mark Slaughter (July 4, 1964).

Happy Birthday to Stryper co-founder, guitarist and lead singer Michael Sweet (July 4, 1963).

Happy Birthday to former Raven drummer [1979-88] Rob "Wacko" Hunter (July 4, 1960).

Remembering Angel Witch co-founder and bassist Kevin Riddles who died on July 4, 2025. A NWOBHM pioneer, he was also a member of Tytan, Paul Samson's Empire and Baphomet. R.I.P.

July 4, 1988: Slayer released their fourth studio album "South Of Heaven" in the UK (July 12th in North America)... "The way Slayer brush their strokes around songs really is quite remarkable: the way 'Spill...' goes LIGHT, HEAVY, FAST then SLOW, MOODY and GRINDING is what makes Slayer so special - they're like a video nasty on record." -Kerrang! Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - July 9, 1988; [US] CMJ New Music Report - July 1, 1988.

July 4, 1981: With "Crazy Train" starting to get played on American radio, Ozzy Osbourne performed for the first time in Northern California with his new band featuring guitarist Randy Rhoads at Oakland's "Day On The Green".

July 4, 1982: Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Arden were married in Hawaii. Ozzy has previously divulged that Sharon purposefully picked their wedding date, which is Independence Day in the United States, so he would remember it.

Summer 1980: Diamond Head released their debut album "Lightning To The Nations", originally released in a plain white sleeve with no title or track listing. The LP was a big influence on Metallica, who have covered three Diamond Head songs, including "Am I Evil?"

July 1985: Bavarian metal band Talon released their second studio album "Never Look Back", described in one fan review as "L.A. tinged heavy metal with a German attitude that had been paraded out by Accept with similar fashion."

July 1979: Triumph released their third studio album "Just A Game" in the UK (April '79 in North America) featuring single "Lay It On The Line". The vinyl LP featured a sleeve that folded open to reveal a board game designed by bassist Mike Levine who decided to make it impossible to win.

July 4, 1976: Certainly the founders of the USA envisioned four hard rockin' dudes in makeup leading the charge on the country's 200th birthday 🌭🤘

"All Metal Is Not Created Equal!" Celebrate safely today USA and crank up the Kick Ass '80s Metal and Hard Rock with METAL SHOP. Get the app or listen online.