'80s Metal History (October 19th)

October 19, 1987: Warlock released their fourth and final studio album "Triumph And Agony" featuring single "All We Are" with music video that played often on MTV Headbangers Ball. Cozy Powell was a guest drummer on track "Touch Of Evil".

Warlock "Triumph And Agony" release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - October 3, 1987; [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Most Added' - October 30, 1987; Billboard Magazine review - November 7, 1987.

October 19, 1979: Only £1.00 to see Iron Maiden headline London's Marquee Club for the first time. Openers were Praying Mantis and Ian Fleming, the latter taking a break from writing James Bond books to play a little metal 😁

October 1988: Just weeks before the release of their new album "Kings Of Metal", Manowar founding member and guitarist Ross "The Boss" Friedman quit the band due to "musical incomcompatibility." -Kerrang!

October 19, 2004: Twisted Sister re-recorded their 1984 smash album and according to the band, "Still Hungry" is "Stay Hungry", "the way it ought to be". Atlantic Records never remastered the original which may or may not have pissed off the band.

After 1987's "Rock 'n' Roll", Motörhead took a break from releasing new music until 1991, but they were still road warriors and putting out live albums, including "Blitzkreig On Birmingham '77" issued in 1989.

After Ian Gillan left Black Sabbath in 1984, the band recruited unknown L.A. singer David Donato, but it didn't work out (Kerrang!). Donato then joined White Tiger with former KISS guitarist Mark St. John and they released their debut album in 1986.

Ron Keel auditioned for Black Sabbath in October 1986.

October 1984: With a look "just a few steps removed from glam" but with a sound similar to Accept, Bavarian metal band Talon released their debut album "Neutralized" featuring the song "Victims Of Suicide". Release information source: Metal Hammer Magazine ad - October 25, 1984.

October 19, 1984: Touring Europe with DIO, Queensrÿche were about to hit the stage in Brussels. The band drove around England and Europe in their own minibus... Yes, driving themselves. Meanwhile, back in the states, single "Take Hold Of The Flame" (from their first studio album "The Warning"), was picking up airplay at American rock radio. R&R radio trade publication ad - October 19, 1984

October 19, 1987: W.A.S.P. released a live version of Humble Pie cover "I Don't Need No Doctor" as the second single from "Live...In The Raw" in the UK, that included a Donington guest pass. Release date source: Kerrang! ad - October 24, 1987.

October 19, 1979: Supporting the "Hell Bent For Leather" album, Judas Priest were touring North America, with all dates in the US, except for one... After playing Seattle, they hopped the border for a show in Vancouver, British Columbia... Maybe just to see what if feels like to be in Canada 🙃

October 19, 1980: Having just played Madison Square Garden in New York City the night before, Black Sabbath's "Heaven & Hell" Tour was now in Erie, Pennsylvania.

October 19, 1980: AC/DC brought the "Back In Black" Tour to the UK with the first of 24 dates starting in Bristol, England. Three weeks later they played six shows in London, split between Hammersmith Odeon and Victoria Apollo Theatre.

October 1984: KISS' "Animalize" World Tour was in Germany after wrapping up a string of dates in the UK that included two nights at London's Wembley Arena. A review in Kerrang! called Paul Stanley "a male Marilyn Monroe" 😁

October 19, 1986: It was a hot time in the Arizona desert with Motörhead bringing the "Orgasmatron" Tour to Phoenix with Megadeth in tow.

October 19, 1986: "King Karl Gustav XVI of Sweden hosted a post-concert party for English metal band Saxon at the Swedish Royal Palace in Stockholm. The palace staff dressed in metal regalia and Saxon T-shirts for the party. Saxon is said to be the 40 year old king's favorite band." -FMQB US radio trade publication - October 1986.