'80s Metal History (August 17th)

August 17, 1984: W.A.S.P. released their self-titled debut album worldwide featuring singles "I Wanna Be Somebody", "School Daze" and "Love Machine". It was originally planned to be called "Winged Assassins" and there were some early pressings with that title in Europe... a rare find now.

W.A.S.P. debut release date source: Kerrang! - July 26, 1984; Billboard ad -August 25, 1984.

August 17, 1985: Metallica performed at the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival at Castle Donington for the first time. ZZ Top was the headliner with Marillion, Bon Jovi, Ratt and other bands to be announced... turned out one was Metallica 😎

August 17, 1988: Ahead of their performance at the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival at Castle Donington, heavy metal folklore archives show Iron Maiden played a secret gig as "Charlotte And The Harlots" at Queen Mary College in London. The band did the same thing at Brooklyn, New York heavy metal club, L'Amour in May that year.

August 17, 1985: Check out this lineup... Slayer, Exciter, Metal Church, Exodus and Hallow's Eve laid waste to Montreal at The City of Saints' "1st Heavy Metal Festival".

Happy Birthday to former Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist [1991-93] Gilby Clarke (August 17, 1962).

Happy Birthday to former Wild Dogs drummer [1982-87] Deen Castronovo (August 17, 1964).

August 17, 1992: Exodus released their fifth studio album "Force Of Habit" in the UK (August 25th in North America), a departure from their amped up thrash past, slower and experimental, more groove metal. Headbangers Ball frequently played videos "Thorn In My Side" and "Good Day To Die". Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - July 18, 1992; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - August 14, 1992.

August 17, 1991: AC/DC, Metallica, Mötley Crüe and Queensrÿche played the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival at Castle Donington with select performances broadcast on MTV Headbangers Ball.

August 17, 1985: Touring the Midwestern US, Mötley Crüe brought the "Theatre Of Pain" Tour to the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota with special guest Loudness. Two days later during an interview in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Nikki Sixx said the band was trying to gain Guinness Book of Records’ recognition as the loudest band in the world. The average reading during the band’s ninety-minute set was 108 to 110 decibels, with an average reported level of 116 decibels for people standing close to the stage in front of the speaker columns. People normally begin to feel physical pain at about 125 decibels..."Louder Than Hell".

August 17, 1984: RATT were on the rise and I caught them at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon with opener Fastway. Still climbing the US Billboard Hot 100, smash single "Round And Round" was at No. 14 this week.