'80s Metal History (November 7th)

November 7, 1980: Just seven months after "Wheels Of Steel", Saxon released the follow up "Strong Arm Of The Law" in the UK (May '82 in North America). The title track was inspired by the band being pulled over and searched by Margaret Thatcher's security.

Saxon "Strong Arm Of The Law" release date source: [UK] Record Mirror - November 1, 1980; [US] FMQB radio trade publication - May 7, 1982.

November 7, 1989: Whitesnake released their eighth studio album "Slip Of The Tongue" in North America (November 13th in the UK, November 18th in Japan). Steve Vai recorded the guitar parts in place of the injured Adrian Vandenberg. "We cover a mulitude of sins without any compromise on this album" -David Coverdale

Whitesnake "Slip Of The Tongue" release date source: [US] Public relations promotional letter - October 4, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! review - November 11, 1989.

November 1986: Megadeth's second studio album "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?" featuring singles "Wake Up Dead" and "Peace Sells" was issued in the UK (September '86 in North America). The band's very first music video was for "Peace Sells" and it was filmed in mid-November at the infamous L’Amour of Brooklyn, New York. The strobing effect was reported to cause epileptic seizures and the video was banned in the UK, but in the US, MTV began showing it the week of December 3, 1986. UK Release month source: Kerrang! - October 16, 1986.

November 7, 1980: Recorded a month earlier in Southampton on the "Blizzard Of Ozz" Tour, live versions of Ozzy Osbourne performing "Mr. Crowley" and "Suicide Solution", plus new studio track "You Said It All", was released as an EP in the UK. Release date source: Record Mirror - October 25, 1980.

November 7, 1981: Ozzy Osbourne's second studio album "Diary Of A Madman" 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. 7-10 days is needed to calculate sales.

November 1983: Mötley Crüe released the song "Shout At The Devil" as a single in the UK. The band performed for the first time across the pond in August 1984 at the "Monsters Of Rock" Festival at Castle Donington. Release information source: Kerrang! ad - November 3, 1983.

November 7, 1988: "...Isn't it strange that as soon as you're born you're dying..." In the UK, Iron Maiden released "The Clairvoyant" as the third single from the album "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son". Release date source: Kerrang! ad - November 5, 1988.

November 1988: Arizona thrash metal band Atrophy released their debut album "Socialized Hate" in North America, co-produced by Bill Metoyer, who worked on the early Slayer albums. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication 'Most Added' - November 11, 1988.

November 7, 1989: McAuley Schenker Group released their second studio album "Save Yourself" in North America (November 13th in the UK) featuring singles the blistering title track and power ballad "Anytime" (reached No. 5 on the US Billboard Rock chart). Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - November 4, 1989; [UK] Kerrang! - October 21, 1989.

Happy Birthday to former Black 'N Blue and KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer (November 7, 1960).

November 7, 1982: Motörhead crushed Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria on the "Iron Fist" Tour.

November 1985: RATT had shows scheduled in Commack and Uniondale on Long Island, so that was a good time to take a break in the Big Apple and have Atlantic Records present the band with gold and platinum awards for their latest album "Invasion Of Your Privacy". Billboard Magazine - November 16, 1985

November 7, 1991: It was reported in September he had left the band, but returned in late October, so it was no surprise when guitarist Izzy Stradlin officially announced his departure from Guns N' Roses.

New to the game, Skid Row's Sebastian Bach "once told a concert crowd where they were staying; hundreds flocked to their hotel." Circus Magazine - November 1989