'80s Metal History (August 15th)

A full page ad in the August 13, 1983 issue of Billboard Magazine signaled the arrival of AC/DC's ninth studio album "Flick Of The Switch" in North America. However, the LP didn't hit record stores until the week of the 22nd (August 26th in the UK). The band was a bit of a mess after having problems with Malcolm Young, plus drummer Phil Rudd was just fired after completing his parts on the record and they needed a new one before the tour scheduled to start on the 30th. The album didn't match sales of previous LPs "Back In Black" and "For Those About To Rock", but nobody bats 1.000. General opinions have been more positive in recent years.

AC/DC "Flick Of The Switch" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 'New Releases' - August 6, 1983; The Evening Independent (St. Petersburg, Florida) LP released this week - August 26, 1983; Billboard Magazine Top Album Picks Spotlight - August 27, 1983; Billboard Radio Rock Albums survey chart debut - September 3, 1983 (The latter is not a sales chart, only what American radio was playing a week earlier). The LP debuted on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape (sales) chart on September 10, 1983; [UK] Music Week - August 20, 1983.

August 1987: W.A.S.P. released the single "Scream Until You Like It" recorded for the movie "Ghoulies II" and also included on "Live...In The Raw" issued the following month. The song was co-written by guitarist Paul Sabu (Only Child) who recorded his own version a year later, telling Kerrang! in February 1988, "I don't think justice was done to it, so we've done it. Blackie Lawless wouldn't even let me in the studio, and I was supposed to be producing!"

W.A.S.P. "Scream Until You Like It" release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication ad - August 14, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! - July 23, 1987.

August 15, 1980: Judas Priest released "United" as the third single from the album "British Steel", a chance for non-metalheads to dip their toe into the metal water before flipping the record to hear the B-side "Grinder" 😁 🤘 Release information source: Record Business - August 11, 1980.

Remembering Grim Reaper singer Steve Grimmett, who died August 15, 2022 at age 62. R.I.P.

Happy Birthday to Whitesnake and former Ozzy drummer Tommy Aldridge (August 15, 1950).

Mid-August 1985: Scorpions issued the double live album "World Wide Live" two months earlier and now the companion video was available, recorded on the extensive "Love At First Sting" Tour in France, Germany and several dates in California. The VHS debuted on the US Billboard Music Videocassettes chart on August 31st.

August 15, 1985: Unreleased Judas Priest? Nope. Produced by Max Norman (Ozzy Osbourne, Savatage, Grim Reaper), Malice released their debut album "In The Beginning" in North America (import available July '85 in the UK) featuring "Rockin' With You" and "Captive Of Light". Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - August 2, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! review - July 11, 1985.

August 15, 1988: With "A Nightmare On Elm Street 4: The Dream Master" in US theaters on the 19th, the soundtrack was issued a few days earlier featuring "Love Kills" from the Vinnie Vincent Invasion. Release date source: The Hard Report radio trade publication - August 5, 1988.

August 1992: Warrant released "Machine Gun" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Dog Eat Dog". One review called it "their most aggressive single". The music video shows the band performing in front of a metal corrugated wall.

August 15, 1988: Racer X released "Extreme Volume - Live" in the UK. A popular live act on the Sunset Strip, the album was recorded at The Country Club in Reseda, California on March 19, 1988. Release date source: Kerrang! - August 13, 1988.

August 15, 1992: '80s Metal was alive and well with "Super Rock" in Mannheim, Germany delivering mega stars Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath with Ronnie James Dio, Slayer, Helloween, W.A.S.P. and Testament 🤘

August 1983: Swiss & Shout! Krokus performed on the short-live TV show "Rock 'n' Roll Tonite" in the US. The setlist included "Eat The Rich", "American Woman", "Screaming In The Night" and "Headhunter", plus guitarist Fernando Von Arb destroyed his guitar with the "Headhunter Axe" 🤘

August 15, 1981: "An Evening With The Metal Maniac", Ozzy Osbourne and his Blizzard of Ozz played the Convention Hall in Asbury Park, New Jersey with support from Def Leppard.

August 15, 1984: On the road with DIO on the "Last In Line" Tour at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, Twisted Sister were awarded gold records for the "Stay Hungry" album by Mark Metcalf from the "We’re Not Gonna Take It" and "I Wanna Rock" music videos and the movie "Animal House". The crowd erupted when he hit the stage.