'80s Metal History (September 11th)

September 11, 1988: Metallica launched the "Damaged Justice" Tour in Budapest, performing four songs from the new album "...And Justice For All"... "Blackened", "Eye Of The Beholder", "One" and the title track.

Queensrÿche recorded their debut EP in late summer 1982 and shortly after released it independently on their own label, 206 Records (June '83 in the UK). After signing with EMI America, the EP was re-released in the US in August 1983, debuting on the Billboard Top LPs & Tape chart on September 17, 1983.

UK release information source: Kerrang! ad - June 17, 1983.

September 11, 1970: Black Sabbath released their second studio album "Paranoid" in the UK (January 1971 in North America) featuring several of their signature songs... "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, the latter Sabbath's only Top 20 UK hit. Release date source: [UK] Unknown Magazine ad; Disc Magazine 'the new LPs' - September 12, 1970.

September 11, 1981: Michael Schenker Group released their second studio album "MSG" in the UK (North America with a different cover). Produced by Ron Nevison (Thin Lizzy, UFO), the LP also features Schenker's former UFO bandmate Paul Raymond. Release information source: [UK] Record Mirror ad - September 12, 1981; Record Business review - September 14, 1981.

Michael Schenker Group "MSG" US Cover. Billboard ad - September 18, 1981

September 11, 1990: Warrant released their second studio album "Cherry Pie" in North America (late September '90 in the UK) featuring US Top 20 rock hit "Uncle Tom's Cabin" and the title track that was written by Jani Lane in 15 minutes to please the record label. Before recording started, the band had considered calling the album "Vertical Smile" 🙃 Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 'New Releases' - September 1, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! review - September 29, 1990.

September 11, 1989: Formed five years earlier under the name "Sweet Vengeance", they changed their name to "Xentrix" in 1988 and the UK thrashers released their debut album "Shattered Existence". Release information source: Kerrang! ad - September 16, 1989.

From Cologne, German power metal band Brainfever released their debut album "Capture The Night" in 1984 featuring the band’s theme song "Brainfever". A metal artifact kept under the radar by poor distribution outside of Europe.

Remembering Y&T drummer Leonard Haze, who died September 11, 2016 at age 61. R.I.P.

September 11, 1990: "Through The Eyes Of The Beast", Iron Maiden "Maiden England" was finally issued in the US on VHS featuring 90 minutes of live footage filmed at Birmingham's N.E.C. on 1988's "Seventh Tour Of A Seventh Tour".

The September 1984 issue of Hit Parader Magazine in the US pitted Mötley Crüe vs. Quiet Riot for the "American Metal Championship". Judging by the photos in the feature, it appears it was Crüe over Quiet with Nikki Sixx proud of his motley crew and Rudy Sarzo representing the rioters wearing a scarf 👍 Judas Priest were also featured in the magazine. As they were completing the "Metal Conqueror" Tour in Japan in support of their latest album "Defenders Of The Faith", the band revealed "We're getting tired of bands who are ripping us off." 🥊🥊