'80s Metal History (August 22nd)

Late August 1988: Metallica released "Harvester Of Sorrow" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "...And Justice for All". The song was played live over the summer during the "Monsters Of Rock" US Tour and was a Top 20 hit in the UK. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - August 26,1988; [UK] Kerrang! ad - September 3, 1988.

August 22, 1985: Ratt released "You're In Love" as the second single from the album "Invasion Of Your Privacy". "I call it our 'love song,' but it's not. At all. It's kind of a 'danger zone' love scenario." -Stephen Pearcy. The music video features several love scene clips from classic movies and cartoons, plus concert footage shot in Biloxi, Mississippi and Shreveport, Louisiana. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - August 16, 1985.

August 22, 1987: It was an all-American lineup at England's "Monsters Of Rock" Festival with DIO, Metallica, Anthrax, W.A.S.P. and Cinderella opening for Bon Jovi, who were joined at some point by Bruce Dickinson, Paul Stanley and Dee Snider.

August 22, 1989: L.A. Guns released their second studio album "Cocked And Loaded" in North America (September 18th in the UK) featuring singles "Rip And Tear", "Never Enough" and their biggest hit, power ballad "The Ballad Of Jayne" (reached No. 33 on the US Billboard Hot 100). Release information source: Billboard Magazine review - September 2, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! ad - September 23, 1989.

August 22, 1989: Fates Warning established a more modern, progressive direction with the release of their fifth studio album "Perfect Symmetry", their second with singer Ray Alder who replaced original vocalist John Arch. The LP achieved the highest pre-orders in Metal Blade history. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - August 25, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! - August 12, 1989.

Late August 1988: Metal Blade issued "A Distant Thunder" in North America (on Roadrunner Records in the UK), the third studio album from Texas metal band Helstar. Singer James Rivera was described by one radio trade magazine as "a touch of Bruce Dickinson and Michael Kiske (Helloween)." Release information source: [US] The Hard Report 'Rumblers' - September 2, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - August 13, 1988.

August 22, 1988: Metal Blade issued the debut album from Heretic titled "Breaking Point". Shortly after, singer Mike Howe joined Metal Church while other members founded Reverend with ex-Metal Church vocalist David Wayne. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 'Album Releases' - August 20, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! review - August 20, 1988.

August 22, 1980: Tygers of Pan Tang released their debut album "Wild Cat" in the UK featuring the song "Euthanasia". One review called the LP "an early biker-metal classic..." Release date source: Record Business Magazine - August 18, 1980.

August 22, 1981: Originally meant to be a one-off event, the second "Monsters Of Rock" Festival returned to Castle Donington Park in England with headliner AC/DC. Whitesnake and Blue Öyster Cult were also on the bill.

Happy Birthday to RATT (and former Dokken) bassist Juan Croucier (August 22, 1959).

Happy Birthday to Sacred Reich singer and bassist Phil Rind (August 22, 1969).

Happy Birthday to Living Colour guitarist Vernon Reid (August 22, 1958).

Happy Birthday to guitarist Jack Starr [Virgin Steele, Burning Starr] (August 22, 1951).

August 22, 1992: Iron Maiden headlined the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival at Castle Donington. The lineup also included Skid Row, Slayer and W.A.S.P.

August 22, 1986: Members of KISS, Mötley Crüe, RATT, L.A. Guns and more topped a star-studded list of artists performing under the name the Party Ninjas at the Roxy in West Hollywood. The packed club watched Autograph and Mötley Crüe peform, followed by RATT members Stephen Pearcy, Robbin Crosby and Bobby Blotzer, along with KISS' Paul Stanley and Bruce Kulick.

August 1987: DIO's latest album "Dream Evil", featuring new guitarist Craig Goldy who replaced Vivian Campbell, was available everywhere and frontman Ronnie James Dio got the cover of Germany's Metal Hammer Magazine.