'80s Metal History (December 8th)

December 1986: When recording began, they were known as City Kidd, but changed their name to Tesla and released their debut album "Mechanical Resonance" in North America (January 1987 in the UK) featuring singles "Modern Day Cowboy", "Little Suzi" and "Gettin' Better".

Tesla "Mechanical Resonance" release information source: [US] R&R radio trade publication AOR debut appearance - December 12, 1986; The Gavin Report radio trade publication album reviews - December 12, 1986; Billboard Magazine - December 20, 1986; [UK] Kerrang! - December 25, 1986.

December 1987: Anthrax released their second EP "I'm The Man", the title track considered one of the first rap metal songs. The EP also includes a cover of Black Sabbath's "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" and several live tracks. Release information source: [US] The Hard Report radio trade publication spotlight - December 4, 1987; [UK] Kerrang! single review - December 5, 1987.

Remembering Pantera guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, who died December 8, 2004 at age 38. R.I.P.

Three years after it was recorded and intended to be their debut album in 1976, Motörhead's "On Parole" was issued by the band's former record label in 1979, following the success of the "Overkill" and "Bomber" albums.

December 8, 1984: With Bruce Kulick officially signing a contract a day earlier to become their fourth lead guitar player, KISS brought the "Animalize" World Tour to Detroit, that was taped for an MTV special and later released as "Animalize Live Uncensored" on VHS home video.

Happy Birthday to Def Leppard guitarist Phil Collen (December 8, 1957).

Happy Birthday to former Megadeth guitarist [1990-99] Marty Freidman (December 8, 1962).

Happy Birthday to bassist Johnny Rod [King Kobra 1984-86, W.A.S.P. 1986-90] (December 8, 1957).

December 1987: Black Sabbath released their 13th studio album "The Eternal Idol" in North America (one month earlier in the UK) originally recorded with future Badlands singer Ray Gillen, but re-recorded with his replacement, Tony Martin. Release information source: [US] Billboard Magazine ad - December 5, 1987.

Racer X released only their third album "Technical Difficulties" in 1999, the title track evolved from the introductory song "Metal Dog" on guitarist Paul Gilbert's 1994 instructional video "Terrifying Guitar Trip".

The first track from AC/DC's second album "T.N.T.", "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)" was released in Australia and New Zealand in December 1975 (April 1976 in the UK). The signature song for Bon Scott, his replacement Brian Johnson does not perform it, out of respect for his predecessor.

December 8, 1980: AC/DC brought the "Back In Black" World Tour to Boblingen Sporthalle in Stuttgart, Germany with special guests Whitesnake. Fan Memory from AC/DC website: "I remember founding myself in front of the stage where it was a "Survival of the fittest" as the waves of human crowd would move you from side to side. This was worst during opener Whitesnake, as AC/DC did hit the stage, the situation calmed down (a little bit), so one could enjoy the show somehow. As it was one of my first rock-concerts, everything was new, loud and huge to me. The truth is, that the PA systems were larger than life in these days, so it was not only an earache, but the size of the production made wou say: WOW!"

December 8, 1987: Queens thrashers Anthrax ventured north to bring the "Among The Living" Tour to the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York with Celtic Frost and Exodus. Joey Belladonna image courtesy of Mark Kurtzner.

December 8, 2013: Metallica performed in South Shetland Islands, Antarctica and made history by being the first band to ever play all seven continents in one year.