'80s Metal History (October 11th)

October 11, 1980: On tour in Europe, KISS "Unmasked" played Copenhagen with special guest Iron Maiden... "Touring with Kiss is one of the best moves we’ve made – they’ve been so great to us, I’m knocked out. We often notice the band members in the wings, watching our show. They like to see Eddie warming up the crowd; they love that. Ace Frehley got so carried away, I even saw him climbing up the lighting rig to get a better view – platform boots and all!" -Paul Di'Anno

October 1985: Ahead of the new album "The Last Command" from W.A.S.P., the first single "Blind In Texas", was issued in North America and the disrepect from US radio stations was something. Read for yourself 😠

October 1988: With lyrics about limitations on freedom of speech and freedom of expression in general, American rock radio stations were playing Metallica's "Eye Of The Beholder" as the second single from the album "...And Justice For All". Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Hard 100' - October 21, 1988.

October 11, 1983: With Fastway opening, AC/DC kicked off the "Flick Of The Switch" World Tour in Vancouver, their first with new drummer Simon Wright.

October 11, 1986: Touring the UK with Saxon, Loudness performed at London's Hammersmith Odeon, opening with "Crazy Doctor" after a glowing intro from Saxon's Biff Byford. Lead singer Minoru Niihara was happy to be in "London rock and roll city!"

October 11, 1986: Iron Maiden's sixth studio album "Somewhere In Time" debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart at No. 81. A month later it would peak at No. 11 in the states and No. 3 on the UK Official album chart.

October 11, 1993: In the UK, Motörhead released their 11th studio album "Bastards", the first with drummer Mikkey Dee officially part of the lineup. Release date source: Kerrang! ad - October 16, 1993.

October 1987: From the just released Alice Cooper album "Raise Your Fist And Yell", American rock radio was starting to spin the first single "Freedom". Written by Alice Cooper and Kane Roberts, the track did not chart in the US, but did reach No. 50 on the UK singles chart in April 1988. Release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication 'New & Active' - October 16, 1987.

Featuring Twisted Sister drummer A.J. Pero, New York power metal band Cities released their only album "Annihilation Absolute" on Metal Blade in 1986. Out of print after its initial run, it was reissued on CD in 2009. Release information source: This is tough one to nail down... Most sites show October 1986, but an ad appeared in the UK's Kerrang! magazine on November 28, 1985 and a review in Kerrang! on January 23, 1987. 🤷‍♂️

October 11, 1983: KISS launched the "Lick It Up" Tour in Lisbon, Portugal, their first without makeup. Guitarist Vinnie Vincent was fired after the European tour, but not able to find a replacement in time, re-hired for the North American leg.

October 11, 2011: Judas Priest compilation album "The Chosen Few" was released in North America, featuring tracks selected by other rock and metal musicians, including James Hetfield "Victim Of Changes" and Slash "Screaming For Vengeance". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - October 10, 2011.

October 11, 2024: Ratt shared "Reach For The Sky", a previously unreleased track recorded during the sessions for the band's 1984 debut album "Out Of The Cellar" and to be included on limited-edition versions of the forthcoming 40th-anniversary release of their successful first studio LP. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - October 11, 2024.