Rush

 Today in 1989 Rush released the album Presto

Willowdale, Ontario,Canada Progressive Rock, Hard Rock/Heavy Metal (early)
Status:Split Up
Years active:1968-1969, 1969 (as Hadrian), 1969-2018
One of Canada's best known bands (metal or not), Rush may not be thought of as a heavy metal band, certainly not when considering their recent works. But for true metal/hard rock genius, one needs look no further than their first four albums, from the obvious Led Zeppelin leanings of the debut, to the introduction of master drummer Neil Peart on Fly By Night (during those early metallic years, Peart was the premier metal drummer), to the quirkiness of Caress Of Steel, and of course the landmark that is 2112. By the time of, say, Signals, Rush had lost most of their metallic edge, having transitioned to their post-modern, semi-art-hard-rock style (one that is still rarely imitated, a testament to their originality) that has continued to serve them well, the band still active after more than 30 years in the business.
Atlantic Records
Geddy Lee Bass, Vocals, Keyboards
Alex Lifeson Guitars
Neil Peart (R.I.P. 2020)Drums, Percussion
Guest/Session
Rupert Hine (R.I.P. 2020)Keyboards, Vocals (backing)
Jason Sniderman Keyboards
1. Show Don't Tell 05:01
2. Chain Lightning 04:33
3. The Pass 04:51
4. War Paint 05:24
5. Scars 04:07
6. Presto 05:45
7. Superconductor 04:47
8. Anagram (for Mongo) 04:00
9. Red Tide 04:29
10. Hand over Fist 04:11
11. Available Light 05:03
52:11
Released in cooperation with Anthem Entertainment.
Videos were made for "Show Don't Tell", "The Pass" and "Superconductor".
Recording information:
Recorded June - August 1989 at
+Le Studio, Morin Heights, QC, Canada
+McClear Place, Toronto, ON, Canada
Mixed September 1989 at Metropolis, London, UK

The Kinks

 Today in 1986 The Kinks relased the album Think Visual

Muswell Hill, London, England Rock

Status:Active

Years active:1964–1996, 2018–present

Although they weren't as boldly innovative as the Beatles or as popular as the Rolling Stones or the Who, the Kinks were one of the most influential bands of the British Invasion. Like most bands of their era, the Kinks began as an R&B/blues outfit. Within four years, the band had become the most staunchly English of all their contemporaries, drawing heavily from British music hall and traditional pop, as well as incorporating elements of country, folk, and blues.

MCA

Ray Davies – rhythm guitar, vocals, keyboards, harmonica

Dave Davies – lead guitar, vocals, keyboards; lead vocals on "Rock 'n' Roll Cities" and "When You Were a Child"

Ian Gibbons – keyboards, backing vocals

Jim Rodford – bass guitar, backing vocals

Bob Henrit – drums, percussion except on "Rock 'n' Roll Cities"

Mick Avory – drums on "Rock 'n' Roll Cities"

with:

Kim Goody – backing vocals on "Think Visual"

All lyrics written by Ray Davies, except as noted.

No. Title Writer(s) Length

1. "Working at the Factory" 2:58

2. "Lost and Found" 5:19

3. "Repetition" 4:06

4. "Welcome to Sleazy Town" 3:50

5. "The Video Shop" 5:15

6. "Rock 'n' Roll Cities" Dave Davies 3:43

7. "How Are You" 4:27

8. "Think Visual" 3:12

9. "Natural Gift" 3:44

10. "Killing Time" 4:02

11. "When You Were a Child" Dave Davies 3:40

Total length: 44:22

Think Visual is the twenty-second studio album by English rock band, The Kinks, released in 1986.

According to Ray Davies, the album was originally going to be a concept album where his "spiv" character from the "Come Dancing" music video was put in the "environment of a video shop." However, this was abandoned.

Dark Angel

 Today in 1986 Dark Angel released the album Darkness Descends

Downey, California Thrash Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1981-1983 (as Shellshock), 1983-1992, 2002-2005, 2013-present

Dark Angel was one of the stalwarts of the American thrash scene in the late eighties, refining a vicious, energetic style that originally owed much to early Slayer (as heard on the debut, We Have Arrived). They were yet another 80's Los Angeles band that debuted on on a Metal Massacre compilation (in this case, VI), going on to release four studio albums and a live EP before disbanding in 1992 following the departures of Ron Rinehart and Gene Hoglan. Several members scattered to new projects, including Oil (featuring Rinehart), Swine (featuring Eric Meyer) Dreams Of Damnation (featuring Jim Durkin), and Hoglan of course becoming the ultimate workaholic drummer for many bands. Persistent rumors and reports of a reformation surfaced for years since the breakup, and finally a confirmed reunion did occur in late 2002, with several original members taking part in some shows. Most recently, a 2013 lineup has stabilized and is working on a new release, most likely for 2016.

Combat Records

Don Doty - Vocals

Eric Meyer - Lead guitar

Jim Durkin - Lead guitar

Rob Yahn - Bass (Uncredited: performs on 1986 release)

Gene Hoglan - drums

Mike Gonzalez - Bass (credited on 1986 release does not perform)

1. Darkness Descends (5:49)

2. The Burning of Sodom (3:16)

3. Hunger of the Undead (4:16)

4. Merciless Death (4:03)

5. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) (4:14)

6. Black Prophecies (8:29)

7. Perish in Flames (4:49)

Mike Gonzalez never actually played on this album even though he is mentioned in the credits as well as the inlay photos and the promo photos at the time. The bass parts were actually played by Rob Yahn, who left the band right after the album was finished.

Recorded at Music Grinder Studios & Mad Dog Studios.

Mixed at Mad Dog Studios. Mastered at Capital Studios.

Reissued in 1998 by Century Media.

This reissue includes two bonus tracks:

8. Merciless Death (live) (3:44)

9. Perish in Flames / Darkness Descends (live) (8:30)

These are taken from The Ultimate Revenge 2.

Again reissued by Century Media in 2008, subtitled "The Black Edition", in an oversize digipack containing 8 bonus tracks:

Live at the Trocadero, Philadelphia, October 23 1988 (The Ultimate Revenge 2 show) (the order for this portion is wrong on the cover, correct order below)

8. The Burning of Sodom [3:19]

9. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) [3:37]

10. Merciless Death [3:44]

11. Perish in Flames [5:05]

12. Darkness Descends [3:21]

Live at the Country Club, Reseda, CA, April 22, 1989 (Live Scars show)

13. We Have Arrived [3:55]

14. The Burning of Sodom [3:29]

15. Death Is Certain (Life Is Not) [3:53]

Darkness Descends is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Dark Angel. The album is the first to feature drummer Gene Hoglan. Rob Yahn was replaced with Mike Gonzalez by the time this album was released, however, Gonzalez was given credit over Yahn on the album sleeve. The album is considered a classic in the thrash genre

Quiet Riot

 Today in 1989 Quiet Riot released the single Slick Black Cadillac (Live)

Los Angeles, California Arena Rock/AOR (Early), Heavy/Glam Metal, Hard Rock (later)

Status:Active

Years active: 1973 (as Mach 1), 1973-1975 (as Little Women), 1975-2003, 2004-2008, 2010-present

Veteran hard rock band Quiet Riot has two claims to fame. One is their massively popular '83 album Metal Health, featuring the title track and the even more popular "Cum On Feel The Noize" (a cover of the British rock group Slade). The second claim to fame is that this is where acclaimed guitarist Randy Rhoads got his start, before making it big as Ozzy Osbourne's first lead guitarist and then tragically being killed in an accident a few years later. Often it is mistakenly written that Quiet Riot were the first metal band to go to #1 with their first album, but in fact Metal Health was their third, as the band released two albums in Japan with Rhoads in the late 70's -- his departure necesitated somewhat of a style change and Metal Health was the result. They were never able to duplicate that album's success, though they remained a popular live act for some time. For many years they were an on-again, off-again item, under various lineups, until 1999, at which time the classic Metal Health lineup came back together. That version survived until September 2003, when they announced their (presumably) final breakup. However, the duo of Kevin DuBrow and Frankie Banali decided to work together once again, and with a couple of hired guns in tow, recorded Rehab in 2006, reportedly a departure from the classic QR style, towards a more 70's rock sound. Sadly, that reformation came to an end in late 2007, with the unfortunate passing of DuBrow.

Epic records

Frankie Banali Drums

Kevin DuBrow (R.I.P. 2007) Vocals

Rudy Sarzo Bass

Carlos Cavazo Guitars

Single-sided

1. Slick Black Cadillac (Live) 04:15

Only available with Kerrang! issue 55. Features voiceover messages to Kerrang! readers from band members.

Legend

 Today in 1982 Legend released the EP Frontline

Jersey, UK Channel Islands,United Kingdom NWOBHM, Heavy Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1980-1984, 2002-present

Legend were one of the lost treasures of the NWOBHM -- in fact, Legend is the all-time favorite band of the BNR Metal Pages. The Legend sound consists of a Sabbath guitar sound (much more so on the first album, not very much on the others), the occasional jazzy influence, and vocals which were once described as "folky", (yet fit perfectly with the music), and thought-provoking lyrics. They were one of the most original bands to originate from the NWOBHM movement, yet their location (secluded on the Channel Islands between England and France) relegated them to little-known status during their tenure. All of their stuff was basically self-financed and the production on their albums wasn't great (though the EP sounded pretty good in that respect). An absolutely brilliant, and criminally underrated, band.

Years after the breakup of the band, guitarist/founder Peter Haworth put together a digitally remastered compilation CD entitled Retroshock, and more recently the entire Legend catalog (both albums, EP, and an unreleased demo) has been released on 2 CDs, in the form of Anthology. Finally, in 2003, came the more than welcome, yet quite unexpected, comeback album, Still Screaming, reuniting Haworth with frontman Mike Lezala. Simply put, it's what a comeback album should sound like, retaining much of the classic Legend style while at the same time sounding modern and original. Hails to the band for a job quite well done! Since then, Haworth and Lezala have recruited a new lineup (including luring bassist Eggy Aubert back into the fold) with the intent to play live, as well as record later in 2003.

Workshop

Peter Haworth Guitars

Mike Lezala Vocals

David Whitley Drums

Neil Haworth Bass

Side A

1. Frontline 05:24

2. Sabra & Chatila 04:22

Side B

3. Stormers of Heaven 03:07

4. Open Up the Skies 03:36

16:29

Recorded in Sept. 1982 at the Music Workshop, Jersey, C.I.

Kiss

 Today in 1981 Kiss released the single I

New York City, New York Hard rock, heavy metal

Status:Active

Years active 1973–present

Rooted in the campy theatrics of Alice Cooper and the sleazy hard rock of glam rockers the New York Dolls, Kiss became a favorite of American teenagers in the '70s. Most kids were infatuated with the look of Kiss, not their music. Decked out in outrageously flamboyant costumes and makeup, the band fashioned a captivating stage show featuring dry ice, smoke bombs, elaborate lighting, blood spitting, and fire breathing that captured the imaginations of thousands of kids. But Kiss' music shouldn't be dismissed -- it was a commercially potent mix of anthemic, fist-pounding hard rock driven by sleek hooks and ballads powered by loud guitars, cloying melodies, and sweeping strings. It was a sound that laid the groundwork for both arena rock and the pop-metal that dominated rock in the late '80s.

Casablanca

Paul Stanley – rhythm guitar, vocals, lead guitar on "The Oath"

Ace Frehley – lead guitar, vocals, bass guitar on "The Oath", , backing vocals

Gene Simmons – bass guitar, vocals,

Eric Carr – drums, percussion, backing vocals,

With

Bob Ezrin – keyboards,

Allan Schwartzberg – drums on "I", additional overdub

B Side the Oath

"I" is a song by the American rock band Kiss from their 1981 studio album Music from “The Elder”. It was the album's second single.

The Doors

 Today in 1978 The Doors released the album An American Prayer

Los Angeles, California Psychedelic rock, blues rock, acid rock

Status:Split Up

Years active 1965–1973

The Doors, one of the most influential and controversial rock bands of the 1960s, were formed in Los Angeles in 1965 by UCLA film students Ray Manzarek, keyboards, and Jim Morrison, vocals; with drummer John Densmore and guitarist Robby Krieger. The group never added a bass player, and their sound was dominated by Manzarek's electric organ work and Morrison's deep, sonorous voice, with which he sang and intoned his highly poetic lyrics.

Elektra

1969 readings

Jim Morrison (R.I.P. 1971)– vocals, spoken word (recorded on March 1969)

1970 readings

Jim Morrison (R.I.P. 1971)– vocals, spoken word (recorded on December 8, 1970)

The Doors

Ray Manzarek(R.I.P. 2013) – keyboards, piano bass

Robby Krieger – guitar

John Densmore – drums

Additional personnel

Arthur Barrow – synthesizer programming on "The Movie"

Reinol Andino – percussion

Bob Glaub – bass on "Albinoni – Adagio"

Jerry Scheff – bass

Poetry, lyrics and stories by Jim Morrison; music by Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore.

Side one

No. Title Length

1. "Awake

Ghost Song

Dawn's Highway

Newborn Awakening"

7:10

2. "To Come of Age

Black Polished Chrome

Latino Chrome

Angels and Sailors

Stoned Immaculate"

8:41

3. "The Poets Dreams

The Movie

Curses, Invocations"

3:28

Side two

No. Title Length

4. "World On Fire

American Night

Roadhouse Blues

Lament

The Hitchhiker"

11:59

5. "An American Prayer" 6:52

An American Prayer is the ninth and final studio album by the Doors. In 1978, seven years after lead singer Jim Morrison died and five years after the remaining members of the band broke up, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore reunited and recorded backing tracks over Morrison's poetry (originally recorded in 1969 and 1970). Other pieces of music and spoken word recorded by the Doors and Morrison were also used in the audio collage, such as dialogue from Morrison's film HWY: An American Pastoral and snippets from jam sessions.

The album also includes a composite live version of "Roadhouse Blues," splicing together performances at New York City's Felt Forum and Detroit's Cobo Hall, both captured during the Doors' 1970 Roadhouse Blues Tour. This version of the song later appeared on the In Concert compilation.