'80s Metal History (October 16th)

October 16, 1986: Fastway released their fourth studio album, the soundtrack to the heavy metal horror film "Trick Or Treat", in North America. It would be the last Fastway LP with Dave King on vocals. Release date source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - October 10, 1986; FMQB "out this week" - October 17, 1986; Film in theaters - October 24, 1986.

October 16, 1985: "Magical...Mythical...Metal", DIO brought the "Sacred Heart" Tour to Bloomington, Minnesota with fire-breathing dragon, laser-dueling knights and a crystal ball. Rough Cutt opened.

Remembering KISS guitarist Ace Frehley, who died October 16, 2025 at age 74. R.I.P.

October 16, 1989: Yngwie Malmsteen released his first live album "Trial by Fire: Live in Leningrad" in the UK (the following day in North America), recorded over several dates in February that year in Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad USSR). Release date source: [UK] Kerrang! - October 7, 1989; [US] Billboard - October 7, 1989.

October 1987: Grim Reaper released their third studio album "Rock You To Hell" in the UK (June '87 in North America), their last until 2016. The UK band found themselves bigger in the states and never really broke out in their home country. Release month source: Kerrang! - September 3, 1987.

October 16, 1986: Continuing their European tour, Saxon and special guest Loudness, began a string of dates in Germany, starting with the Pink Palace in Essen. Belgium, Netherlands, France and Japan dates would follow.

Anvil appeared to be the next big metal act in the early '80s, but after "Metal On Metal", subsequent releases didn't inspire the masses, including their latest in 1988, "Pound For Pound". The 2009 movie made them more famous than their music. Kerrang! review - October 15, 1988

Considered one of the first death metal albums, Possessed released their debut album "Seven Churches" in Europe in 1985 (1986 in North America). The LP title refers to the Seven Churches of Asia mentioned in the Book of Revelation.

October 16, 1987: Flotsam and Jetsam played Fender's Ballroom in Long Beach, California with Sacred Reich and Excel. After bassist Jason Newsted left Flotsam and Jetsam to join Metallica a year earlier, Phil Rind of Sacred Reich filled in for a short time.

October 16, 1986: Triumph brought "The Sport Of Kings" Tour to Brown County Arena in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin with special guest Yngwie Malmsteen.

October 16, 1978: Whitesnake released their debut album "Trouble" in the UK (March '79 with a different cover in North America). Produced by Martin Birch (Iron Maiden), David Coverdale has said one of the reasons the album was called "Trouble", was that his first child was born during the album's recording. Release information source: [UK] Music Week ad "Out next week" - October 14, 1978; [US] Record World Magazine ad - March 10, 1979.

October 16, 2001: Ozzy Osbourne released his eighth studio album "Down To Earth", the only Ozzy LP to feature bassist Robert Trujillo, who left to join Metallica two years later. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - August 9, 2001.

October 16, 2015: Saxon released their 21st studio album "Battering Ram" in North America featuring the blistering title track. Release date source: [US] Blabbermouth.net - August 23, 2015.

October 16, 1986: Megadeth's second studio album "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" was in stores in North America and the Los Angeles Times published a feature on the band... "From the L.A.-based quartet's rough 'n' tumble musical approach, you'd never guess these guys are peaceniks."..."I'm aware of what's going on politically," insists Dave Mustaine. "I'm not the stereotyped stupid, heavy-metal kid. A band should be aware of what's going on instead of being so wrapped up in themselves."

October 1986: Yngwie Malmsteen was on the cover of Kerrang! with the headline "Is This Man The Greatest Rock Guitarist In The World?" The mag answered with a resounding yes, but three years later called him a Ritchie Blackmore ripoff.