'80s Metal History (August 27th)

August 27, 1985: Featuring Anthrax members Scott Ian and Charlie Benante, they were originally called "Diseased", but changed their name to "S.O.D.: Stormtroopers Of Death" and released their debut album "Speak English Or Die" in North America (October 24th in the UK).

S.O.D.: Stormtroopers Of Death "Speak English Or Die" releaae date source: [US] Kerrang! - August 22, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! - September 5, 1985.

August 27, 1982: Sandwiched between Stormer and Greg Leon Invasion on the reader board, Metallica played the Whiskey A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. Setlist highlights included "Seek And Destroy", "The Mechanix", "Motorbreath" and "No Remorse".

"I took that photo in 1982. I'm glad I got the pic before the lineup order was changed. We (Metallica) actually opened the show. I bet the guy who put up the marquis display got fired. A real Spinal Tap and puppet show moment." -Ron McGovney, original Metallica bassist (January 16, 2024)

August 27-29, 1982: It was heavy rock heaven for three days at the 22nd Reading Rock Festival in the UK with a bill that featured Manowar, Tygers Of Pan Tang, Twisted Sister, Y&T, Michael Schenker Group and Iron Maiden.

August 27, 1978: Black Sabbath played Madison Square Garden in New York City with upstarts Van Halen opening. Ozzy Osbourne said then "Van Halen are so good they ought to be headlining the tour."

August 27, 1988: Supporting the "Ram It Down" album, Judas Priest's "Mercenaries Of Metal" Tour stopped in Minneapolis with Cinderella. Priest opened with "Ram It Down" and "Heavy Metal".

August 27, 1985: Slayer and Possessed brought "Metal Straight From Hell!" to Portland, Oregon for a show at the old Starry Night. If you missed it, you could catch them in Seattle the next night. Slayer picked up with Megadeth the following month.

August 1988: Suicidal Tendencies released "Trip At The Brain" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today". The music video that features a cameo by actor John Cusack played in heavy rotation on MTV in the US.

August 27, 1982: Diamond Head released "In The Heat Of The Night" in the UK as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Borrowed Time". The LP would be their first for a major label. The band "seemed to be getting somewhere after six years of building." -Guitarist Brian Tatler. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - August 26, 1982.

Happy Birthday to former Michael Schenker Group singer [1980-81, 82-84, 2008-10, 2016] Gary Barden (August 27, 1955).

Happy Birthday to Whitesnake co-founder and former bassist Neil Murray (August 27, 1950). Neil also played bass with Black Sabbath in 1989-90.

Remembering former Annihilator singer Coburn Pharr who would have celebrated a birthday today (August 27, 1962). R.I.P.

August 1972: Featuring a 30-year-old Ronnie James Dio (credited by his birth name, Ronald Padavona), Elf released their debut album. Produced by Deep Purple's Ian Paice and Roger Glover, most of the lineup later joined Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow.

Countdown to Queensrÿche... the new album was due September 4th in North America. HITS radio trade publication ad - August 27, 1990