'80s Metal History (September 12th)

September 12, 1980: Ozzy Osbourne released his debut album "Blizzard Of Ozz" in the UK (March 1981 in North America). At the time of recording, the band was billed as "The Blizzard Of Ozz" and they were expecting Ozzy's name in smaller print like on the "Crazy Train" single. That same night, Ozzy launched his first tour since leaving Black Sabbath in Glasgow.

Ozzy Osbourne "Blizzard Of Ozz" release date source: [UK] Melody Maker ad - September 13, 1980; "Blizzard Of Ozz" debuted on the Official album chart on September 20, 1980; [US] Billboard Magazine ad - April 4, 1981; FMQB radio trade publication ad - March 27, 1981.

September 12, 1983: Black Sabbath released "Born Again" in the UK (September 28th in North America), their only studio album with former Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan and last with drummer Bill Ward. It reached No. 4 on the UK album chart.

Black Sabbath "Born Again" release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - September 8, 1983; Debuted on the Official album chart on September 24, 1983; [US] CMJ New Music Report - September 26, 1983.

September 1984: Upstart thrashers Metallica were signed to a major label recording contract. 10 years later they would sue Elektra, but drop it and re-sign with that label at a higher royalty rate, plus retain ownership of their master recordings 🤘

September 12, 1992: Iron Maiden headlined the "Monsters Of Rock" in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. The lineup also included Black Sabbath, Megadeth, Testament, Pantera and Warrant... The latter delivered a killer cover of Accept's "Balls To The Wall".

September 12, 1988: Slayer launched a nine date tour of the UK and Ireland with a show at the Top Hat in Dublin that included support from Nuclear Assault. Slayer opened with "South Of Heaven" followed by "Raining Blood" and everyone there that night just lost their freakin' minds.

September 1983: Formed three years earlier from the ashes of punk band "The Lubricunts", they became "Overkill" (named after Motörhead's second album) and released their demo EP "Power In Black" on cassette.

September 12, 1985: Australian hard rockers Heaven released their third studio album "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" in North America. The band included former AC/DC bassist Mark Evans at one time. Release date source: FMQB radio trade publication - September 6, 1985.

September 12, 1984: The music video for RATT's "Wanted Man", the third single from the album "Out Of The Cellar", was added to the rotation at MTV in the US with "The RATT Gang" getting into a gun fight with another gang of cowboys who were also up to no good.

September 12, 1987: Opening for Y&T, Frehley's Comet played the Beacon Theatre in New York City. After the show, Ace hung out with KISS' Paul Stanley at an afterparty held at the Tunnel Club.

September 12, 1985: Opening with "Looks That Kill", Mötley Crüe played Dane County Coliseum in Madison, Wisconsin. The "Theatre Of Pain" tour included special guest Loudness.

September 12, 2008: Metallica released their ninth studio album "Death Magnetic" worldwide, their first with bassist Robert Trujillo and a return to the band's thrash metal roots including long guitar solos from Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - August 29, 2008.

September 12, 2011: Anthrax released their tenth studio album "Worship Music" Internationally (the following day in North America) featuring singles "Fight 'Em 'Til You Can't" and "The Devil You Know". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - June 7, 2011.

Born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Ronnie James Dio grew up an only child in Cortland, New York (pop. 20,000)... "The poorer part of town wasn't poverty-pocked; rather, the neat clapboard homes reflected a hard-working, salt-of-the-earth pride." -Hit Parader (September 1983)