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.

Alice Cooper

 Today in 1978 Alice Cooper released the album From The Inside

Detroit, Michigan Rock, hard rock, heavy metal, proto-punk, shock rock, experimental rock, glam metal

Status:Active

Years active 1963–present

Alice Cooper is without a doubt one of the most influential showmen in the history of hard rock. Enough cannot be said about the man -- suffice to say that virtually every band who has ever adopted a horror/theatrical approach, from Marilyn Manson to King Diamond to too many others to mention, they all ultimately are influenced by Alice Cooper. The band formed in Arizona in the late sixties, fronted by one Vincent Furnier, who had already started cultivating his controversial stage persona though he hadn't yet changed his name. They went through several names, among them the Earwigs, the Spiders, and the Nazz, before finally settling on Alice Cooper. While the exact origin of the name Alice Cooper is debatable (there seem to be numerous explanations), it's clear that the band adopted the name before Furnier did, instead of the other way around as one might expect. Finally properly christened, the band rose to worldwide stardom in a few short years, thanks to memorable anthems such as "I'm Eighteen", "Under My Wheels", "Billion Dollar Babies", and of course the anthem to end all anthems, "School's Out", combined with a highly controversial and unpredictable stage show. By 1973, though, the rest of the band had had enough, and thus Alice Cooper the band became Alice Cooper the solo artist, and his larger-than-life persona continued to grow.

Though still eminently recognizeable, by the mid-80's Alice's popularity had dwindled somewhat, with his albums being less memorable (does anyone remember anything about releases such as Dada or Zipper Catches Skin?), though his stage show still went down a storm. His recording output waned in the 90's, not unexpectedly, but just when one might have forgotten what he could do, along came 2000's Brutal Planet, a surprisingly heavy effort that showed Alice successfully combining his classic style with a modern approach. Since then he's gone back to his roots, as his last two albums (The Eyes Of Alice Cooper and Dirty Diamonds) are clearly based in 70's rock. Nowadays he's less the outrageous personality though he's still in the public eye (among other things, he's well documented as a more than competant golfer). His legacy in the rock world is quite secure.

Warner Bros.

Alice Cooper - vocals

Dick Wagner - guitar

Davey Johnstone - guitar

Steve Lukather - guitar

Jay Graydon - guitar, synthesizer programming

David Hungate - bass

Dee Murray - bass

Rick Schlosser - drums

Dennis Conway - drums

Michael Ricciardella - drums

Rick Neilsen - guitar

1. From The Inside (3:55)

2. Wish I Were Born In Beverly Hills (3:38)

3. The Quiet Room (3:52)

4. Nurse Rozetta (4:15)

5. Millie And Billie (4:15)

6. Serious (2:44)

7. How You Gonna See Me Now (3:57)

8. For Veronica's Sake (3:37)

9. Jackknife Johnny (3:45)

10. Inmates (We're All Crazy) (5:03)

Total Time 39:06

From the Inside is the eleventh studio album by Alice Cooper, released in 1978. It is a concept album about Cooper’s stay in a New York sanitarium due to his alcoholism. Each of the characters in the songs were based on actual people Cooper met in the sanitarium. With this album, he saw the addition of three former members of the Elton John band: lyricist Bernie Taupin, guitarist Davey Johnstone and bassist Dee Murray.

The lead single from the album was “How You Gonna See Me Now”, an early example of a power ballad, which reached #12 in the US' Hot 100 chart. A music video was also created for it. The ‘Madhouse Rocks Tour’ in support of From the Inside lasted from February to April 1979 and saw all songs from the album as regular parts of the setlist except “Millie and Billie”, “For Veronica’s Sake” and “Jackknife Johnny”. Since 1980, however, songs from From the Inside have rarely been performed live, with the only cases being “Serious” on the 2003 ‘Bare Bones’ tour, “Wish I Were Born in Beverly Hills” on the 2005-2006 Dirty Diamonds Tour, “Nurse Rozetta” on the ‘Descent into Dragontown’ and ‘Theatre of Death’ tours, and “From the Inside” between 1997 and 1999 and on the late 2000s ‘Theatre of Death’ tour.

The album is also notable for having been used to form the characters and storyline when Alice Cooper was featured in a comic book, Marvel Premiere #50.

The album's cover image features the opening manner of doors leading into a hospital waiting room. The doors feature Cooper's face

This was one of three Alice Cooper albums to be reissued in 1990 by Metal Blade Records on CD and cassette. The other two were Muscle of Love and Lace and Whiskey. All three albums are now out of print.

The Kinks

 Today in 1975 The Kinks released the album Schoolboys in Disgrace

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.

RCA

Ray Davies - vocals, guitar, piano

Dave Davies - lead guitar, vocals

Mick Avory - drums

John Dalton - bass guitar

John Gosling - keyboards

John Beecham - trombone

Alan Holmes - saxophones

Nick Newell - tenor saxophone

Pamela Travis - background vocals

Debbie Doss - background vocals

Shirley Roden - background vocals

All tracks written by Ray Davies.

Side one

No. Title Length

1. "Schooldays" 3:31

2. "Jack the Idiot Dunce" 3:19

3. "Education" 7:07

4. "The First Time We Fall in Love" 4:01

Side two

No. Title Length

1. "I'm in Disgrace" 3:21

2. "Headmaster" 4:03

3. "The Hard Way" 2:35

4. "The Last Assembly" 2:45

5. "No More Looking Back" 4:27

6. "Finale" 1:02

Schoolboys in Disgrace or The Kinks Present Schoolboys in Disgrace is a 1975 concept album by the Kinks. It was considered to be the last album by critics in what they dubbed the group's "theatrical" period, and their final release for RCA Records.

According to the back cover liner notes, the story which the album presents is as follows:

Once upon a time there was a naughty little schoolboy. He and his gang were always playing tricks on the teachers and bullying other children in the school. One day he got himself into very serious trouble with a naughty schoolgirl and he was sent to the Headmaster who decided to disgrace the naughty boy and his gang in front of the whole school.

After this punishment the boy turned into a hard and bitter character. Perhaps it was not the punishment that changed him but the fact that he realised people in authority would always be there to kick him down and the Establishment would always put him in his place. He knew that he could not change the past but he vowed that in the future he would always get what he wanted. The naughty little boy grew up... into Mr Flash.

Mr Flash was the name of the villain from the Kinks' rock opera Preservation (released as Preservation Act 1 and Preservation Act 2).

In 2015, Dave Davies spoke positively of the album in a Yahoo interview, saying, "Schoolboys in Disgrace is a great album. At the time, we were so busy doing it and getting it out and touring and playing it. Over a matter of three years it was gone and we were doing something else. But when you draw this into the present, it’s like, 'Oh my God, what the f— is this?!? How did we do that?' We've been very fortunate, Ray and I and the Kinks. We’ve had such a wealth of materials, ideas, and observations. We’ve been very good at following our intuition. That's something you can’t really teach."

The front cover was illustrated by Mickey Finn of T. Rex. It later appeared on NME's list of the '50 worst covers of all time'.

In 1978 the Finnish band Kontra had a number one hit with the song "Jerry Cotton" which was a cover version of the song "Jack the Idiot Dunce."