'80s Metal History (November 27th)

November 1983: On the verge of signing a record deal, W.A.S.P. were chosen to star in a sci-fi flick titled "Rage War" (later retitled "The Dungeonmaster" and released in August 1984). The band chose this over another movie "Heavy Metal Zombies".

Happy Birthday to Anthrax drummer Charlie Benante (November 27, 1962).

November 27, 1983: Iron Maiden's "World Piece" Tour was rolling through Europe bringing "BraiN DamagE" and opener Michael Schenker Group to San Sebastián, Spain.

November 27, 1982: Ozzy Osbourne's "Talk Of The Devil" debuted on the UK album chart. It was NOT RELEASED On This Day as recordings cannot chart on the same day they are issued. 7-10 days is needed to calculate sales. Titled "Speak Of The Devil" in the rest of the world, it debuted on the US Billboard Top LPs & Tapes chart on December 11, 1982. The live album introduced many of us to the Black Sabbath catalog.

November 27, 1981: AC/DC's eighth studio album "For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)" was now available in the UK and much of the world. It would reach the Top 10 in 10 different countries, including No. 3 in the UK and Australia, No. 2 in Germany and No. 1 in the US. Release information source: [UK] Smash Hits ad - November 26, 1981; Record Mirror ad - November 28, 1981; Debuted UK Official album chart on December 5, 1981.

Remembering Armored Saint co-founder and lead guitarist Dave Prichard, who would have celebrated a birthday today (November 27, 1963). Dave died in 1990. R.I.P.

November 1990: Described by lead singer Mandy Lion as "a sex band", WWIII released their debut album in North America (May 1991 in the UK) with former DIO members Vinny Appice and Jimmy Bain plus guitarist Tracy G. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication - December 7, 1990; [UK] Kerrang! - May 11, 1991.

Noise Records issued Helloween retrospective "Pumpkin Tracks" in Europe in 1989, featuring three songs from the band's self-titled debut EP, which featured vocalist/guitarist Kai Hansen, plus various cuts from Helloween's debut album "Walls Of Jericho" and the ambitious "Keeper Of The Seven Keys" concept recordings (Parts 1 and 2) with Michael Kiske on vocals.

November 27, 1989: Saxon released their second live album "Rock 'n' Roll Gypsies" in the UK. Recorded in Hungary the previous year, it featured new bassist Nibbs Carter along with the return of drummer Nigel Glockler. Release date source: Kerrang! - November 11, 1989.

Happy Birthday to drummer Mike Bordin [Faith No More, Ozzy Osbourne] (November 27, 1962).

November 27, 1985: With support from Megadeth and Wendy O. Williams, Motörhead played the Civic Auditorium in Santa Monica, California. Stuck in litigation hell with their label Bronze records, the band found themselves without income and practially lived on the road to make money. The "It Never Gets Dark" Tour saw them in Scandanavia before heading to the US.

November 27, 1984: Mississippi Nights, the most iconic nightclub in St. Louis, didn't know what hit it when Slayer roared into town on the "Haunting The Chapel" Tour, opening with "Hell Awaits".

November 27, 1987: After concluding the North American "Abigail" Tour in September, King Diamond was back on the road in Europe with a show at London's Hammersmith Odeon with support from Wolfsbane.

With new KISS guitarist Mark St. John not able to play due to an arthritic condition, Bruce Kulick had been his temporary replacement on the "Animalize" Tour until St. John's condition improved and he returned to the group for his first show in Baltimore on November 27, 1984. The other KISS members then decided Kulick was a better fit musically and after just three shows with St. John, named Kulick as an official member of the band on December 2, 1984.

November 27, 1989: A charity recording of the Deep Purple classic "Smoke On The Water" by Rock Aid Armenia (Tony Iommi, Bruce Dickinson, Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan and more) to raise money for the victims of the Armenian earthquake that devastated the Soviet republic earlier in the year, was released in the UK, backed by the original version of Black Sabbath's "Paranoid".

Dinner is served as we give thanks for '80s Metal. Bon appétit US and thanks for listening to METAL SHOP 🤘