'80s Metal History (October 22nd)

October 22, 1984: Written by bassist Steve Harris, Iron Maiden released "Aces High" as the second single from the album "Powerslave" in the UK (mid-November '84 in North America). The music video was filmed in Poland during the "World Slavery" Tour.

Iron Maiden "Aces High" release information source: [UK] Record Mirror - October 20, 1984; [US] FMQB radio trade publication ad - November 16, 1984.

October 22, 1991: Its working title "Decade Of Decadence" until Mötley Crüe copyrighted the name, Slayer released double live album "Decade Of Aggression" in North America (one day earlier in the UK), recorded in Florida, California and London.

Slayer "Decade Of Aggression" release date source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - October 18, 1991; [UK] Kerrang! - October 5, 1991; Kerrang! ad - October 26, 1991.

October 22, 1982: These young and hungry bands just wanted to play metal for the locals in Anaheim... Metallica, Enforcer and Leatherwolf, plus Slayer, whose logo looks like it was written on the flyer at the last minute before printing 😁 Original Metallica bassist Ron McGovney posted on social media in 2024 "This was a pretty good show in 1982. Tom's amp blew up and he asked to use mine. Of course I let him use it."

October 1983: Ahead of the release of "Fistful Of Metal", the debut album from Anthrax, Megaforce issued the first single "Soldiers Of Metal" (7" Vinyl limited to only 3,000 copies). The song was produced by Manowar's Ross The Boss. Release information source: Kerrang! - October 20, 1983.

Happy Birthday to former Ratt Drummer Bobby Blotzer (October 22, 1958).

October 1983: "Heavy Metal Love", the first single from Helix's major label debut "No Rest For The Wicked", was released in the UK. The LP was in stores there in late July (late May in North America). Release information source: Sounds Magazine ad - October 22, 1983.

October 1982: Spanish metal band Barón Rojo released their second studio album "Volumen Brutal" in the UK (February '82 in Spain). Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson is credited for helping the band with the English translation. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - October 21, 1982.

October 1987: While Tesla were on the road with Def Leppard, "Gettin' Better" from their debut album "Mechanical Resonance", was issued as a single to North American rock radio stations. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication ad - October 30, 1987.

October 22, 1996: Van Halen released their first greatest hits album "Best Of – Volume I" in North America, featuring songs from the David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar eras, who were with the band for 11 years each. Two new tracks recorded with Roth were also included. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - October 19, 1996.

Since the principal players reunited in 2016, there really hasn't been any Guns N' Roses drama, which makes the years before that even more weird. This month in 2008, we heard for the first time "Chinese Democracy" from Guns.. er, Axl Rose.

October 22, 1982: Not just a special guest, but a special guest star, Iron Maiden were opening for Judas Priest on "The World Vengeance" Tour and after playing Madison Square Garden three weeks earlier, returned to the New York area for a show at Meadowlands Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Motörhead "will eat your brain" and it hurts so good. Sounds Magazine UK - October 22, 1977

October 1974: In North America, Casablanca Records issued "Hotter Than Hell", the second studio album from KISS. The Japanese character on the bottom of the LP cover (力) is chikara which means "power" and was later featured prominently on Eric Carr's drum kit.

KISS "Hotter Than Hell" release information source: [US] Record World Magazine "Ship October 1" - September 14, 1974; Billboard Magazine "due this month" - October 12, 1974.

In a 2015 interview, "Y&T frontman Dave Meniketti says that he was offered the guitarist position in Ozzy Osbourne's band, claiming that it happened while Y&T toured with AC/DC more than three decades ago. Osbourne, who was temporarily utilizing the services of Night Ranger guitarist Brad Gillis following the death of Randy Rhoads, was looking for a more permanent replacement, and approached Meniketti when the two came face to face on the road." In 2024, Meniketti shared on social media... "Going through some of my old tour pics today & thought I'd share this one. Ozzy kissing me on the lips backstage in Dublin (October 22, 1982) on the AC/DC tour, when he asked me to join his band in 1982. Notice Sharon on the left, looking on with mild disgust. Cheers, -Dave"

October 1986: Over a year before the release of her career defining album "Lita", Lita Ford was featured in Hit Parader's Heavy Metal Hot Shots Magazine. In the mid '80s Lita was briefly engaged to guitarist Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, who co-produced her album "The Bride Wore Black", which was never released. Lita said in a 1989 interview with Kerrang! that "there's a certain amount of bad blood between Tony and I".