'80s Metal History (September 18th)

September 18, 1990: Judas Priest released their 12th studio album "Painkiller" in North America (one day earlier in the UK) featuring singles the title track and "A Touch Of Evil". Their first LP with former Racer X drummer Scott Travis and last with singer Rob Halford until his return in 2005, the album was actually finished in March 1990, but its release delayed due to the pending, much-publicized subliminal message trial that began in July 1990.

Judas Priest "Painkiller" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - September 1, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! review - September 1, 1990.

September 1990: Megadeth issued "Holy Wars... The Punishment Due" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Rust In Peace" in the UK. The track had been shelved by the band's label Capitol Records because its original release date coincided so closely with Iraq's invasion of Kuwait (Kerrang!). Dave Mustaine wrote the song when he discovered bootlegged Megadeth T-shirts were fundraising for "The Cause" in Northern Ireland. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - September 15, 1990.

September 18, 1982: A showcase by new record label "Metal Blade" was supposed to feature Cirith Ungol (misspelled Cirith Umgoo), but they canceled and were replaced by Metallica, who were now playing their first show in San Francisco.

Despite some success in the states, Twisted Sister had to go abroad to get a record deal and indie label Secret Records issued the band's debut album "Under The Blade" in the UK in September 1982. It was produced by UFO bassist Pete Way. Release information source: Debuted UK Official album chart on September 25, 1982; Kerrang! review - October 7, 1982; Kerrang! ad - November 4, 1982.

September 18, 1983: In a public unveiling on MTV, KISS appeared for the first time without makeup to promote their new album "Lick It Up" in stores the following week. "We made the best of it, but I was scared stiff." -Gene Simmons

Happy Birthday to Lizzy Borden drummer Joey Scott (September 18, 1962).

September 1989: Swiss thrash metal band Coroner released their third studio album "No More Color". Playing a complex style of progressive rock-infused thrash, they have been called "the Rush of thrash metal" and this LP features very proficient instrumentation and incorporation of elements from genres such as jazz fusion and classical music. Release information source: Kerrang! review - September 30, 1989.

September 1990: Named one of the "Fastest Shredders of All Time" by Guitar One magazine, The Great Kat, best known for her thrash metal interpretations of well-known classical music, released her second studio album "Beethoven On Speed". Release information source: Kerrang! review - September 22, 1990.

September 18, 2006: Krokus released their 15th studio album "Hellraiser" in Europe (October 24th in North America) marking 30 years since the release of their first album in 1976. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - August 10, 2006.

September 18, 2020: "Tapping heavily into that 'Wiped Out' vein of speed, power and insanity," Raven released their 14th studio album "Metal City" in North America, their first studio album in five years and first to feature Mike Heller on drums. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - June 8, 2020.

September 1978: Solo albums from each member of KISS were issued by Casablanca in North America (October 27th in the UK). The label shipped 1 million copies of each, but only sold 1.5 million total with Ace Frehley's record selling the most and Gene Simmons charting the highest in the US (No. 22, Billboard Top LPs & Tapes). Release information source: [US] Cashbox Magazine ad - September 2, 1978; Record World spotlight - September 23, 1978; [UK] Music Week - November 4, 1978.

Anthrax were touring the UK with Metallica on the "Damage, Inc." Tour... "I think everyone's heads will be dropping off - the kids will be banging so hard that their heads will be rolling in the aisles!" -Anthrax's British booking agents. The band got the cover of Kerrang! (September 18, 1986) that revealed what was to come on their next album ("'I Am The Law' is about 2000 AD character Judge Dredd") that began a lyrical trend focusing on movies, politics, comic books and Stephen King novels.