'80s Metal History (September 2nd)

September 2, 1988: Metallica released their fourth studio album "...And Justice For All" in North America (September 5th in the UK), the first with bassist Jason Newsted and featuring singles "Harvester Of Sorrow", "Eye Of The Beholder" and "One".

Metallica "...And Justice For All" release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine - September 3, 1988; [UK] Kerrang! - September 3, 1988.

September 2, 1983: Michael Schenker Group released their fourth studio album "Built To Destroy" in the UK (January '84 in North America) featuring the return of original singer Gary Barden, who was replaced by Graham Bonnet for 1982's "Assault Attack".

Michael Schenker Group "Built To Destroy" release information source: [UK] Record Mirror - August 13, 1983; New Musical Express ad - September 3, 1983; [US] R&R radio trade publication 'New & Active' - January 27, 1984.

September 2, 1984: The original Van Halen lineup (Eddie and Alex Van Halen, Michael Anthony and David Lee Roth) performed their final show together as they concluded the "1984" Tour in Nuremberg, Germany as part of "Monsters Of Rock '84".

September 2, 1981: With eight shows remaining on the "Blizzard Of Ozz" Tour, Ozzy Osbourne with special guest Def Leppard performed in Springfield, Illinois.

September 1, 1984: "Mystery", the second single from DIO's second album "The Last In Line" debuted on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart, where the title track was a recent Top 10 hit. In the UK, only "We Rock" and "Mystery" were issued as singles.

September 2, 1985: Saxon released their seventh studio album "Innocence Is No Excuse" in the UK, their last with original bassist Steve Dawson. Featuring single "Back On The Streets", it debuted on the UK Album Chart on September 14th.

Saxon "Innocence Is No Excuse" release date source: [UK] Record Mirror & Kerrang! - June 29, 1985; Kerrang! ad - September 5, 1985.

September 1988: After almost a year of delays, the debut album from Boston-based metal band Wargasm was finally released. Their demo "Satan Stole My Lunch Money" led to a record label bidding war, but the winner Profile was plagued with issues. Release information source: Metal Mania Magazine

September 1984: Swedish power metal band Torch released their second studio album "Electrikiss". After their "Sinister" debut a year earlier, somehow the band, management, the label, or whoever, thought this is the LP cover "that’ll springboard 'Electrikiss' into the public’s clutches."🤦‍♂️

September 2, 2022: Megadeth released their 16th studio album "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" in North America, their first since 2016's "Dystopia" and featuring singles "We'll Be Back" and "Night Stalkers". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - August 20, 2022.

September 2, 1989: Ozzy Osbourne was charged with attempted murder of his wife, Sharon Osbourne. Ozzy had tried to strangle her while he was drunk. However, Sharon stood by his side and the case was ultimately dropped. Kerrang! (September 16, 1989)

September 1983 seemed like a good time for the UK's Kerrang! Magazine to print "All-Time Album Poll Results" and the first four from Iron Maiden, Def Leppard and DIO would still be in the Top 20 today when considering all the great records that followed in the '80s.