'80s Metal History (July 9th)

Metal Church recorded their self-titled debut album in July 1984 and released it sometime before the end of the year on independent record label Ground Zero in North America (February '85 in the UK), which proved to be a success and led to the band signing with major label Elektra, who reissued the LP in Late-1985. The official merchandise insert sheet that came with the album included a Metal Church souvenir neck brace. Such an item was available and guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof has posted on social media he still has his 🤘

Metal Church debut release information source: [US] Date unknown, but most likely before the end of October 1984 as the second ad below notes "Ground Zero recording artists"; [UK] Kerrang! review - March 7, 1985.

Happy Birthday to Anthrax bassist Frank Bello (July 9, 1965).

Remembering AC/DC singer Bon Scott, who would have celebrated a birthday today (July 9, 1946). Bon died in 1980. R.I.P.

Remembering former Motörhead guitarist [1984-95] Michael "Würzel" Burston, who died July 9, 2011 at age 61. R.I.P.

July 9, 1991: In honor of military forces involved in Operation Desert Storm during the Gulf War, the "Operation Rock & Roll" tour featuring Judas Priest, Alice Cooper, Motörhead, Dangerous Toys and Metal Church launched in Salt Lake City. Images: Kerrang! - August 3, 1991

July 9, 1985: AC/DC's tenth studio album "Fly On The Wall" featuring single "Sink The Pink" was now available in Canada (June 28th in the US, July 1st in the UK). Release date source: [Canada] RPM radio trade publication ad - July 13, 1985.

July 1990: Just shy of a year after the release of his 11th studio album "Trash", featuring hit single "Poison", Alice Cooper was celebrated in this Billboard Magazine ad (US)... "His biggest and best year ever."

July 9, 1991: Kix released their fifth studio album "Hot Wire" featuring singles "Girl Money" and "Tear Down The Walls". Bassist Donnie Purnell is the only Kix bandmember credited as a songwriter. Release date source: Kerrang! - June 22, 1991.

July 9, 1992: Damn Yankees released "Don't Tread On Me" as the lead single from their forthcoming sophomore album "Don't Tread". The song was also featured on the Olympics album "Barcelona Gold" and the video aired during coverage on NBC. Release date source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - July 3, 1992.

July 1983: Formed two years earlier by future Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman, speed metal band Hawaii released their debut album "One Nation Underground". Originally called Vixen, they also appeared on Metal Massacre II (1982) under the name Aloha.

July 9, 1986: Ozzy Osbourne resumed "The Ultimate Sin" tour in Portland a week earlier and was now in Bloomington, Minnesota with special guests Blue Oyster Cult, who replaced Metallica as the latter was not able to accommodate the rescheduled dates. With Ozzy experiencing throat issues, Metallica had to return to the stage during his San Francisco performance on June 17th. The tour was then postponed the last two weeks of June.