'80s Metal History (August 28th)

August 28, 1989: King Diamond released their fourth studio album "Conspiracy" in the UK (the following day in North America), the second of two fictional concept LPs about King and his mentally ill grandmother ("Them" '88).

King Diamond "Conspiracy" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - August 12, 1989; Kerrang! ad - September 2, 1989; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - September 1, 1989; Billboard Magazine ad - September 9, 1989.

August 28, 1993: Bruce Dickinson performed for the last time with Iron Maiden (until his return in 1999). The show was broadcast on MTV and pay-per-view in the UK and at the end, a magician "killed" the frontman with an old-school iron maiden.

August 28, 1983: Touring with Raven on the "Kill 'Em All For One" Tour, Metallica performed an early version of "The Call Of Kutulu" live for the first time under the title "When Hell Freezes Over" in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

August 28, 1982: W.A.S.P. played their very first show at a long-gone club called the "Woodstock" in Anaheim, California. Blackie Lawless has said the band never had any intention of ever playing live shows, only to make a demo.

August 28, 1983: Black Sabbath with Ian Gillan on vocals, Motörhead, Twisted Sister, Anvil and Mama's Boys played Dalymount Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Diamond Head were also on the bill, but a no show.

August 1992: After leaving Judas Priest, Rob Halford brought a "Heavier Than Hell Message" to the "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" soundtrack with "Light Comes Out Of Black", recorded with members of Pantera. The Hard Report US radio trade publication ad - August 28, 1992

Happy Birthday to Kix frontman Steve Whiteman (August 28, 1956).

August 1985: Canadian rockers Kick-Axe were working on the follow up to their '84 debut album "Vices", but gladly took time out to collect gold records in Canada for that LP, produced by Spencer Proffer (Quiet Riot "Metal Health"). Music videos were made for "Heavy Metal Shuffle" and "On the Road To Rock". "Dreamin' About You" was also played on American rock radio. RPM Canadian radio trade publication - August 24, 1985

August 28, 2006: Iron Maiden released their 14th studio album "A Matter Of Life And Death" in Europe (September 5th in North America), the first for the band to enter the US Billboard 200 chart in the Top 10. It also reached No. 4 in the UK. Release date source: [Europe] Blabbermouth.net - July 14, 2006; [US] Blabbermouth.net - July 24, 2006.

August 28, 2020: Metallica followed up 1999's well-received "S&M" with "S&M2", recorded live with the San Francisco Symphony at the Chase Center in San Francisco on September 6 and 8, 2019. The performance was also filmed and released theatrically on October 9, 2019. According to James Hetfield, it was Cliff Burton's idea to combine heavy metal with an epic classical approach. Release date source: [US] Blabbermouth.net - July 15, 2020.

August 28, 1982: "The fastest rising band in the West!", Mötley Crüe had a major label deal with Elektra and a remixed version of their debut album "Too Fast For Love" was in stores for the entire world to experience "Below the belt rock'n'roll." Billboard Magazine front page ad

Formed in New York in 1983, "Herrenvolk" was the first band of vocalist Sebastian Bach, who was 14 at the time. A year later, they changed their name to "Kid Wikkid" after a newspaper article with the headline "Peterborough Kid Gets Wikkid" and moved to Toronto, where they released one tape with five tracks that included single "Take A Look At Me", which also appeared on the "Maple Metal" compilation (Attic Records 1985). Kid Wikkid disbanded in '85 and Bach joined Madam X.