'80s Metal History (July 7th)

With a decade to figure it out, K-Tel was getting better at choosing actual metal songs for their compilations and 1989's "Mega Metal" even included some thrash from Anthrax and Megadeth. First song though was a Great White ballad, so maybe not 😏

July 7, 1985: Mötley Crüe launched the "Theatre Of Pain" tour with four shows at Nakano Sun Plaza in Tokyo, their first time performing in Japan. Vince and Tommy were mobbed by fans in a McDonalds.

Originally known as "Tokyo", legal action forced a change to "Toxik" and the Peekskill, New York thrash metal band released their debut album "World Circus" in 1987, featuring the song "Heart Attack". College Music Journal called it the "Best New Metal Album of the Year".

July 1989: Malice released the EP "Crazy In The Night", their final recording until 2008. A year earlier, the band appeared as themselves in the film "Vice Versa" performing the EP title track.

July 7, 1992: Progressive metal band Dream Theater released their second studio album "Images And Words", their first with James LaBrie on vocals. The LP was the band's most commercially successful, driven by the success of Top 10 rock hit "Pull Me Under". Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Heavy Hitters' spotlight - July 3, 1992.

July 7, 2009: Megadeth released "Headcrusher" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Endgame". The song was nominated for "Best Metal Performance" at the 2010 Grammy Awards. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - July 7, 2009.

July 7, 2000: Metallica led the "Summer Sanitarium Tour" to Atlanta minus James Hetfield, who was out with a back injury, so bassist Jason Newsted fronted the band with assistance from tourmates Kid Rock and Korn's Jonathan Davis.

July 7, 1982: Touring the Midwest USA with Girlschool and Iron Maiden, Scorpions brought the "Blackout" tour to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

July 1984: Krokus were featured in Circus Magazine with photos from 1983's USA "Headhunter" tour. The band were about a month away from releasing the follow up "The Blitz".