'80s Metal History (October 23rd)

October 23, 1981: Ahead of the release of their new album "Mob Rules", Black Sabbath issued the title track as the lead single in the UK, originally recorded for the soundtrack to the animated movie "Heavy Metal", but with a slightly different arrangement. Release date source: Record Mirror - Oct. 17, 1981.

October 1990: After leaving Dokken a year earlier, guitarist George Lynch formed "Lynch Mob", that included Dokken bandmate Mick Brown on drums along with singer Oni Logan, and they released their debut album "Wicked Sensation".

Lynch Mob "Wicked Sensation" release information source: There are two dates in October 1990 commonly listed as the release date for "Wicked Sensation" in the US (Tuesday, October 9th and Tuesday, October 23rd), but no confirmation of either date. The album was reviewed in the October 12th issue of radio trade publication 'The Gavin Report' and the October 13th issue of Kerrang! with the latter showing an October 15th release date in the UK. Guitarist George Lynch posted on social media in 2022 the release date was October 23rd. A front page ad appeared in the October 27th issue of Billboard Magazine and Kerrang! also had a full page ad in their October 27th issue. Finally, a full page ad appeared in radio trade publication 'Hits' Magazine on November 6th. In this same issue, a weekly feature called "Music Stores Top Tens" included "Wicked Sensation" ranked for the first time. The album debuted on the US Billboard 200 on November 10, 1990.

Happy Birthday to Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo (October 23, 1964).

Remembering former Motörhead guitarist [1984-95] Michael “Würzel” Burston, who would have celebrated a birthday today (October 23, 1949). Würzel died in 2011. R.I.P.

October 23, 1995: Ozzy Osbourne released his seventh studio album "Ozzmosis" in the UK (the following day in North America), his only album with drummer Deen Castronovo. Propelled by single "Perry Mason", the LP reached No. 4 in the US. Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! - September 30, 1995; [US] Billboard Magazine ad + review - November 4, 1995.

October 23, 1981: In the UK, Saxon released "Princess Of The Night" as the third single from the album "Denim And Leather", a song about a powerful steam locomotive that became one of the band's biggest hits. Release date source: Record Mirror ad - October 24, 1981.

From Denmark and close friends with Metallica's Lars Ulrich before he relocated to America, Maltese Falcon released their debut album "Metal Rush" in 1984. Lars suggested the band name taken from a 1930 detective novel.

One of the forefathers of power metal, Metal Blade issued the second studio album from Omen, the Iron Maiden influenced "Warning Of Danger", featuring the song "Ruby Eyes (Of The Serpent)" in 1985.

October 1988: German thrashers Vendetta released their second studio album "Brain Damage" featuring the title track. The band dissolved two years later, but re-activated in 2002. Release information source: Kerrang! - August 13, 1988.

October 23, 1989: Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith with A.S.a.P. (Adrian Smith And Project) released the album "Silver And Gold" in the UK. The band is a musical departure from the sound Smith helped create with Maiden. Release date source: Kerrang! - October 21, 1989.

October 23, 2020: Armored Saint released their eighth studio album "Punching The Sky" featuring single "End Of The Attention Span". Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - August 11, 2020.

October 23, 1986: In support of his latest album "Constrictor", Alice Cooper launched the "Nightmare Returns" Tour at Arlington Theater in Santa Barbara, California. Alice said the tour would center around the concept of "Splatter Rock", noting the first few rows of his audiences had better wear raincoats because the show "involves a lot of blood."

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