'80s Metal History (November 28th)

November 1983: Grim Reaper released their debut album "See You In Hell" in the UK (July 1984 in North America). Two years earlier they won a Battle of the Bands competition that won them studio time to record a demo.

Grim Reaper "See You In Hell" release information source: [UK] Music Week "success since its November issue" - August 18, 1984; Melody Maker Heavy Metal chart No. 5 - December 10, 1983; Kerrang! ad - December 15, 1983; [US] Billboard Magazine New LP / Tape Releases - July 28, 1984.

November 28, 1984: Traveling west through Canada, Iron Maiden and Twisted Sister performed in Ottawa. Dee Snider has said "that was when tours were tours and men were men." 🤔😜

November 28, 1987: Playing the final dates of the "Peace Sells" Tour, Megadeth smashed Portland before ripping up Seattle the following night. The band opened with "Wake Up Dead", "Bad Omen" and "Devil's Island" 🤘

November 1987: Queensrÿche were in Montreal recording the follow up to "Rage For Order" and looking to present themselves in "a wiser way, maybe start letting the music do the talking instead of the image." -Geoff Tate as told to Metal Hammer Magazine.

November 1978: A huge hit in heavy metal loving Japan over the summer, North America finally got to experience Scorpions' "Tokyo Tapes". It turned out to be the final Scorps recording with guitarist Uli Jon Roth. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine 'Top Album Picks' - December 2, 1978; Debuted Cashbox album chart on December 9, 1978.

November 1976: Y&T released their debut album "Yesterday And Today". Formed in 1972, the band recorded their first two albums as Yesterday And Today (taken from a Beatles album title) before shortening it to Y&T. Release information source: Billboard Magazine ad - November 27, 1976.

Ozzy Osbourne's live LP "Speak Of The Devil" and Night Ranger's debut album "Dawn Patrol" were both issued in November 1982. Guitarist Brad Gillis posted on social media in 2024: "These releases gave me the distinction of being the 1st musician to ever appear in both “Best New Music” picks in the same week! The Album Network US radio trade publication ad - November 15, 1982.

November 28, 2014: AC/DC released their 16th studio album "Rock Or Bust" in Australia (December 1st in the UK; December 2nd in North America), their first with rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, who replaced his uncle and co-founder Malcolm Young, when he retired due to health concerns. Release date source: [Australia, UK] RenownedForSound; [US] Blabbermouth.net - November 24, 2014.

November 28, 2022: With no advance notice, Metallica dropped "Lux Æterna", the lead single from their new album due in April 2023. The direct translation of "Lux Æterna" from Latin is "Eternal Light." Release date source: [US] Blabbermouth.net - November 28, 2022.

Happy Birthday to original BulletBoys drummer Jimmy D’Anda (November 28, 1967).

November 28, 1988: Ozzy Osbourne with special guest Anthrax played Pittsburgh. One fan noted that Zakk Wylde and Joey Belladonna went to a Steelers football game a day earlier.

November 28, 2001: Twisted Sister, Anthrax, Ace Frehley, Overkill and Sebastian Bach performed at the "New York Steel" benefit concert held at the Hammerstein Ballroom. All proceeds raised went to the New York Police and Fire Widows' and Children's Benefit Fund in response to the 9/11 attacks. It was the first time Twisted Sister had played together in 14 years, and spurred a reunion followed by tours and musical collaborations.

Following an outbreak of the Anthrax disease in Florida that year, the band had considered changing their name... "It's as though it's 1937 and I'm a bandleader named Freddie Hitler," Scott Ian told The Guardian. "It's kind of weird, because any time the word is on the news, any time I hear it on television, I hope maybe they're talking about the band," said Ian. "People keep coming up to me and saying, 'Hey, wouldn't it be funny if you got anthrax?' I'm, like, 'Oh, that'd be hilarious'... I will not die an ironic death."

Take my money, please! 🤘 Kerrang! ad - November 28, 1985

It's Black Friday in the US, but around here that means Metal. That's it! Just '80s Metal all day everyday. Plus, METAL SHOP is FREE! So enjoy and thanks for listening! 🤘