'80s Metal History (October 17th)

October 17, 1989: The first all metal/hard rock soundtrack to be associated with a nationally released feature film was "Shocker" with Megadeth's Alice Cooper cover, Dudes of Wrath (Paul Stanley, Vivian Campbell, Rudy Sarzo, Tommy Lee) and more. Release date source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - October 6, 1989; Film in theaters - October 20, 1989.

October 1986: Ahead of the release of the new W.A.S.P. album "Inside The Electric Circus", Humble Pie cover "I Don't Need No Doctor" was issued as a single to radio stations in North America. Release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication ad - October 24, 1986.

October 17, 1989: Whitesnake released "Fool For Your Loving" as the lead single from their forthcoming album "Slip Of The Tongue". After the music video premiered on MTV, the song originally done by the band in 1980, was a No. 2 rock hit in the US. Release date source: Whitesnake public relations promotional letter - October 4, 1989.

October 17, 1983: With new singer Ian Gillan, Black Sabbath launched the North American leg of the "Born Again" Tour in Rimouski, Quebec, Canada. The first two dates were canceled because of problems with the oversized Stonehenge stage set.

October 17, 1984: Two months after launching the "World Slavery" Tour, Iron Maiden were in Heidelberg, Germany as they made their way through Europe with support from Mötley Crüe. The first three songs of the setlist... "Aces High", "2 Minutes To Midnight" and "The Trooper" 🤘

October 17, 1986: Queensrÿche's "Rage For Order" Tour included opening for RATT, AC/DC, Bon Jovi and Ozzy Osbourne, but they also picked up some headline shows including this one with Keel and Black 'N Blue in Salinas, California.

Remembering Savatage lead guitarist and co-founder Criss Oliva, who died October 17, 1993 at age 30. R.I.P.

October 17, 1989: Peekskill, New York thrashers Toxik released their second studio album "Think This" in North America (one day earlier in the UK), featuring singles the title track and "There Stood The Fence", with new vocalist Charles Sabin. The band would breakup in 1992, but reformed 20 years later.

Toxik "Think This" release information source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - October 6, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! ad - October 14, 1989.

October 1989: Rotten Records issued "Penetration Point", the third studio album from Florida thrashers Nasty Savage. The band split up soon after, returning in 2004. Release information source: Kerrang! - September 30, 1989.

October 17, 1988: Swedish black metal band Bathory released their fourth studio album "Blood Fire Death" in the UK, which also includes some of the first examples of Viking metal. The band stopped performing live in 1985, with founder and frontman Quorthon viewing organizing concerts as too much hassle. Release date source: Kerrang! - September 24, 1988.

Norwegian hard rockers TNT released their second studio album "Knights Of The New Thunder" in Europe in late 1984 (July 1985 in North America), their first with new vocalist Tony Harnell and featuring the song "Seven Seas". Release information source: Kerrang! - October 4, 1984.

October 17, 1989: After playing Calgary two nights earlier, Testament brought the "Practice What You Preach" Tour to the Londonderry Inn in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with special guest Annihilator.

October 1985: Nearly eight months after it was released in North America, DIO's "Hungry For Heaven" from the soundtrack for the movie "Vision Quest" was now available in the UK. Kerrang! ad - October 17, 1985

October 1985: Megaforce "Metal To Your Door" ad in the UK's Kerrang! Magazine. Take my money please!