'80s Metal History (November 4th)

Black Sabbath's second studio album with Ronnie James Dio, "Mob Rules", was in UK record shops the first week of November 1981 (mid-November in North America), their first with drummer Vinny Appice (name misspelled on the back cover as "Vinnie"). The LP was produced by Martin Birch, who worked with Iron Maiden. Check the cover art carefully... Do you see Ozzy? 🤔😯

"Mob Rules" release information source: [UK] Record Mirror review - November 7, 1981; Debuted UK Official Chart on November 14, 1981; [US] Billboard ad - November 21, 1981.

November 4, 1985: Produced by Max Norman (Ozzy's first four LPs), Armored Saint released their second studio album "Delirious Nomad" in North America (late November in the UK as an import), featuring tracks "Long Before I Die" and "Aftermath". During the recording sessions of the LP, co-founder and guitarist Phil Sandoval left the band.

Armored Saint "Delirious Nomad" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - November 1, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! ad + review - November 28, 1985.

November 4, 1985: Y&T released their seventh studio album "Down For The Count" in North America (one week later in the UK) looking for success in the hair metal scene with singles "Summertime Girls" and "All American Boy".

Y&T "Down For The Count" release information source: [US] FMQB radio trade publication - November 1, 1985; [UK] Kerrang! ad - November 14, 1985; Kerrang! review - November 28, 1985.

November 4, 1983: Metallica's debut album "Kill 'Em All" was not initially a financial success, but it earned the band a growing fan base for live shows like the Country Club in Reseda, California.

November 4, 1984: After touring Europe with Queensrÿche, DIO returned to North America for more dates on "The Last In Line" Tour with a show in Glens Falls, New York and Dokken now opening.

November 4, 1984: Quiet Riot were touring the US Midwest as headliners on the "Conditional Critical" Tour with support from Whitesnake and Grim Reaper, who would later that month be replaced by Armored Saint.

November 1990: With their new album "Crazy World" in stores soon, the first single "Tease Me Please Me" was spinning on American rock radio stations. The track had just debuted on the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart on November 3rd and would eventually reach the Top 10.

November 1989: After Twisted Sister disbanded, frontman Dee Snider formed Desperado that included former Iron Maiden drummer Clive Burr, but the band dissolved in 1991. Their debut album "Bloodied, But Unbowed" was issued in 1996.

Happy Birthday to singer Jeff Scott Soto [Yngwie Malmsteen] (November 4, 1965).

Remembering original Mercyful Fate and King Diamond bassist Timi "Grabber" Hansen, who died November 4, 2019 at age 61. R.I.P.

November 4, 1976: Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow launched the Australian leg of the "Rising" Tour in Perth. The entire tour was 110 dates in 12 countries, including 29 shows in the US.

November 1985: The second album from W.A.S.P., "The Last Command", was now available worldwide including France. One of the words in this ad translates to "Bloody" 🤘

With production of their fourth studio album (reportedly to be called "Nothing Whatsoever To Do With Hell") about to start, another round of legal action from Ebony Records effectively dealt a death blow to Grim Reaper, who subsequently disbanded in 1988. Guitarist Nick Bowcott and vocalist Steve Grimmett had always maintained that they were given the short end of the stick by their European label.