'80s Metal History (September 14th)

September 14, 1981: Iron Maiden had no intention of releasing it, but their record label wanted a live album, so "Maiden Japan" was issued in the UK. Their last recording with singer Paul Di'Anno, the original cover depicted Eddie holding the severed head of Di'Anno, but was replaced. Release information source: Record Business Magazine - September 14, 1981.

September 14, 1993: Featuring Rob Halford on vocals, Fight released their debut album "War Of Words" in North America (one month later in Europe). The first full LP Halford recorded after leaving Judas Priest includes single "Little Crazy". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - August 20, 1993; [Europe] Music & Media review - October 23, 1993.

September 14, 2011: One US West Coast show in April was not enough, so "The Big 4"... Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax and Slayer went east and played Yankee Stadium in New York City.

September 14, 2011: Ahead of their appearance with "The Big 4" at Yankee Stadium, Bronx Borough president Ruben Diaz Jr. declared it "Anthrax Day" in the Bronx.

September 14, 1984: Iron Maiden released their fifth studio album "Powerslave" in North America (September 3rd in the UK) featuring singles "2 Minutes To Midnight" and "Aces High", plus the epic "Rime Of The Ancient Mariner" and their last recorded instrumental "Losfer Words (Big 'Orra)". Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - September 1, 1984.

September 14, 1982: "Heavy Metal Madness" came to St Louis, Missouri with Judas Priest and Iron Maiden playing the Checkerdome. Maiden's "The Beast On The Road" Tour was their longest, only surpassed in length by the "World Slavery" Tour.

September 14, 1985: It was "Venom Meets Metallica, The Exorcism Begins" at the "Metal Hammer" Festival in St. Goarshausen, Germany, where Metallica played "Disposable Heroes" live for the first time. Warlock, Pretty Maids and Running Wild also performed.

September 14, 1988: "Nothing can prepare you for the beast that is Slayer live - a completely different breed of creature to that dwelling in the grooves of their albums. In a word, they were IMMENSE." -Kerrang! (Slayer, Nuclear Assault; Hummingbird, Birmingham)

A cousin of Ronnie James Dio, singer and guitarist David Feinstein formed The Rods and they independently released their debut album "Rock Hard" in 1980. The following year, they signed with Arista and the LP was re-released as "The Rods".

September 14, 2004: Megadeth released their tenth studio album "The System Has Failed", generally thought of as a return to form for the band and featuring singles "Die Dead Enough" and "The Scorpion". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - September 24, 2004.

September 14, 2010: Accept released their 12th studio album "Blood Of The Nations" in North America, their first with former T.T. Quick singer Mark Tornillo and featuring singles "Teutonic Terror" and "The Abyss". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - April 7, 2010.

September 14, 1991: The just released new album from Tesla titled "Psychotic Supper" with singles "Edison's Medicine", "Call It What You Want", "What You Give" and Steve Clark tribute "Song & Emotion", was well-received most everywhere, including Britain, where frontman Jeff Keith was featured on the cover of Kerrang!