'80s Metal History (October 27th)

October 27, 1980: Motörhead released their fourth studio album "Ace Of Spades" in the UK (December '80 in North America) featuring the "unbridled sensual assault" of the title track, "The Chase Is Better Than The Catch" and "(We Are) The Road Crew". Originally scheduled for release a week earlier, the LP was delayed due to pressing problems.

Motörhead "Ace Of Spades" release information source: [UK] Music Week - October 18, 1980; Record Mirror ad + review - November 1, 1980; Debuted Official album chart on November 8, 1980; [US] Cashbox Magazine review - December 13, 1980.

October 27, 1986: W.A.S.P. released their third studio album "Inside The Electric Circus" featuring singles "9.5.-N.A.S.T.Y." and Humble Pie cover "I Don't Need No Doctor". The LP was the band's first with Blackie Lawless switching from bass to rhythm guitar.

W.A.S.P. "Inside The Electric Circus" release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - October 25, 1986; [UK] Melody Maker - October 25, 1986.

Happy Birthday to former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing (October 27, 1951).

October 27, 1980: Iron Maiden released a cover of Australian band Skyhooks' "Women In Uniform" as a single in the UK. A review in Record Mirror admired the band for "not playing safe". Originally scheduled for release October 3, 1980, the single was pushed back to the 27th. Release information source: Record Mirror review - November 1, 1980.

October 27, 1979: Motörhead's third studio album "Bomber" debuted on the UK Official album chart. It was NOT RELEASED On This Day as recordings cannot chart on the same day they are issued. Release date source: Record Mirror - September 15, 1979.

October 27, 1984: Scorpions returned home for eight shows in Germany with the second date of "Live At First Sting" in Munich.

October 27, 1992: AC/DC released their second live album "AC/DC Live" in North America, recorded on the '91 "Razors Edge" World Tour and considered by one review to be "among the best live metal albums of the '90s". Release date source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - October 24, 1992.

October 1985: Swiss extreme metal band Celtic Frost released their debut album "To Mega Therion" in Europe (December '85 in the UK; March 1986 in North America) featuring the track "Circle Of The Tyrants". The LP was a major influence on the death and black metal genres. Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! January 9, 1986; [US] FMQB radio trade publication - March 14, 1986.

Happy Birthday to Cirith Ungol singer Tim Baker (October 27, 1956).

October 27, 2023: Dokken released their 13th studio album "Heaven Comes Down", their first since 2012 and featuring singles "Fugitive" and "Gypsy"... "It has that classic DOKKEN sound… A great song to blast when driving down the highway." -Don Dokken. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - August 8, 2023.

October 27, 1983: Blue Öyster Cult released their ninth studio album "The Revölution By Night" in North America (November 7th in the UK) featuring US rock hit "Take Me Away", co-written by Aldo Nova. Release information source: [US] CMJ New Music Report - October 24, 1983; [UK] Kerrang! ad 'Out Next Week' - November 3, 1983.

October 27, 1983: "Born Again" in Buffalo, Black Sabbath played Memorial Auditorium with support from Quiet Riot.

October 27, 1986: Opening for Triumph on "The Sport Of Kings" Tour, Yngwie Malmsteen veered off briefly for a one-off headlining gig in LaPorte, Indiana before re-joining the Canadian trio in Norfolk, Virginia two days later. Malmsteen almost got kicked off the Triumph tour after just two shows... "He Was Being Sort of Egocentric in What He Was Doing." -Rik Emmett

October 27, 1987: Whitesnake's David Coverdale joined Mötley Crüe on stage in Montreal for their rendition of Jailhouse Rock, as Whitesnake played their final show in support, with Guns N' Roses set to take their place. Whitesnake were originally only going to play a few early dates on the tour, but Mötley Crüe's management happily increased Whitesnake's fee from $4,000 per night to $10,000 so they would stay on, even though Snake apparently bored the Crüe members 🙃