'80s Metal History (September 8th)

September 8, 1985: After two shows in Canada, DIO were preparing to bring the "Sacred Heart" Tour back to the states with upcoming shows in Portland, Maine and Boston. When the tour returned to Massachusetts at the end of October that year, there was an old law in Worcester that said "ye shall not bring a dragon that breathes fire", or something like that... Ronnie James Dio responded that it would breathe something else then and maybe you'll get off on it. 😁

September 8, 2003: Iron Maiden released their 13th studio album (second since the return of Bruce Dickinson and Adrian Smith) "Dance Of Death" in Europe (one day later in North America), featuring the band's first-ever fully acoustic track "Journeyman". One year earlier, Dickinson started his new job as an airline pilot, flying from London to Portugal and Egypt for Astraeus Airlines. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - September 5, 2003.

Happy Birthday to former Dokken drummer [1981-89, 1994-2019] "Wild" Mick Brown (September 8, 1956).

September 1987: With singer Michael Vescera, who later fronted Loudness and Yngwie Malmsteen, Connecticut metal band Obsession released their second studio album "Methods Of Madness" in North America featuring single "For The Love Of Money". Release information source: The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Airplay' chart debut - September 18, 1987.

September 8, 1986: Portland, Oregon hard rockers Black 'N Blue released their third studio album "Nasty Nasty" in North America (October 6th in the UK) featuring the title track and "Rules". Produced by Gene Simmons, Black 'N Blue guitarist Tommy Thayer would join KISS in 2002. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - August 29, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! - September 4, 1986.

September 1982: Diamond Head released their third studio album "Canterbury" in the UK, a progressive, less heavy follow up to "Borrowed Time" that was not well-received by most fans. Vinyl-pressing problems also caused the first 20,000 copies to jump. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - September 8, 1982.

September 1985: Formed six years earlier, Newcastle speed metal band Atomkraft released their debut album "Future Warriors" featuring the song "Total Metal". On June 24, 1985, Atomkraft opened for Slayer at London's Marquee Club, where faulty equipment resulted in the band trashing their equipment in frustration after just three songs.

The September 8, 1984 issue of Billboard Magazine featured this photo of Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider, MTV's Martha Quinn and actor Mark Metcalf.

September 8, 1983: Black Sabbath were close to releasing the "Born Again" album with former Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan... "The new Blackened opus...is officially due out on September 12th." -Kerrang!