'80s Metal History (October 6th)

October 1986: Dedicated to Metallica bassist Cliff Burton, who died less than two weeks earlier, Metal Church released their second studio album "The Dark" featuring singles "Start The Fire" and "Watch The Children Pray". After a listening party in Seattle on October 2nd, the LP was in US record stores the following week (late October as an import in the UK) and the band made an in-store appearance to promote it at Budget Tapes and Records in Bellevue, Washington. Additonal release information: FMQB radio trade publication ad - October 10, 1986.

Remembering the legendary Eddie Van Halen, who died October 6, 2020 at age 65. R.I.P.

October 1984: Tokyo Blade released their second studio album "Night Of The Blade" in the UK (March '85 in North America). New singer Vic Wright replaced Alan Marsh when the LP was complete and re-recorded the lead vocals. Release information source: [UK] Kerrang! ad - October 4, 1984; [US] FMQB radio trade publication - February 22, 1985.

October 1988: German "pirate metal" band Running Wild released their fourth studio album "Port Royal" in the UK (the title taken from the location of Calico Jack’s death) featuring singles "Raging Fire" and "Conquistadores". Release information source: Kerrang! - August 13, 1988.

October 6, 1990: Judas Priest's 12th studio album "Painkiller" and AC/DC's 12th studio album "The Razors Edge" debuted on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart at No. 47 and No. 55 respectively. Powered by singles "A Touch of Evil" and the title track, "Painkiller" would rise to No. 26 in the US and UK, while "The Razors Edge" would reach No. 2 in the US.

October 6, 2009: KISS released their 19th studio album and first in 11 years, "Sonic Boom" in North America. Featuring single "Modern Day Delilah", it was also the first KISS LP recorded with the current lineup. Release date source: Blabbermouth.net - August 19, 2009.

Initially only available in Japan, Riot released their second studio album "Narita" in North America in 1979 (April '80 in the UK). Featuring the song "Road Racin", Riot's performance was included on 1980's "Castle Donington: Monsters Of Rock" compilation album.

October 1983: Three bands to watch out for...

October 6, 2023: The Power Trip festival began in the Coachella Valley with Iron Maiden and Guns N' Roses rockin' the California desert. Judas Priest and AC/DC would follow a night later and Metallica closed on Sunday, October 8th. On the first night, Iron Maiden were heavy on the new album "Senjutsu", but also 1986's "Somewhere In Time", opening with "Caught Somewhere In Time" and "Stranger In A Strange Land", plus final encore "Wasted Years". And f**kin' Guns N' Roses, that first album is everything, they opened with "It's So Easy" and over three hours later, closed with "Paradise City". Great show, but GnR should probably never follow Iron Maiden.