Manowar

 Today in 1988 Manowar released the album Kings of Metal

Auburn, New York Heavy/Power Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1980-present

After almost thirty years in the business, Manowar continues to rally around their "Death To False Metal" battle cry. Though their over-the-top image and lyrics occasionally come across as slightly cheesy, their determination to stand by their beliefs is commendable, and the fact of the matter is that songs such as "Blood Of My Enemies", "Guyana", "Battle Hymns", and "Defender" rank as among the most brilliant, majestic metal songs ever recorded by any band. It's amazing that, after all this time, Manowar still has a sound that really isn't like anyone else, highlighted by Eric Adam's excellent vocals and a pounding rhythm section led by bassist (and chief songwriter) Joey DeMaio. While Manowar fanatics will doubtless argue that all of their albums are equally outstanding and brilliant, the opinion here is that their early work, particularly the first four albums, are far superior to their later albums, with the 1984 pair of Hail To England and Sign Of The Hammer being their best works. They've mainly stuck to releasing live albums and DVDs over the last decade, along with two studio albums in 2002 and 2007, and they're clearly still a major metal force in Europe.

Atlantic Records

Eric Adams - vocals

Ross the Boss - guitar

Joey DeMaio - bass guitar

Scott Columbus(R.I.P. 2011) - drums

Guest/Session

Grant Williams "Grandson" voice on "The Warrior's Prayer"

Arthur Pendragon Wilshire "Grandfather" voice on "The Warrior's Prayer"

1. Wheels of Fire (4:10)

2. Kings of Metal (3:45)

3. Heart of Steel (5:10)

4. Sting of the Bumblebee (2:49)

5. The Crown and the Ring (Lament of the Kings) (4:50)

6. Kingdom Come (3:56)

7. Pleasure Slave (5:38)

8. Hail and Kill (5:58)

9. The Warrior's Prayer (4:20)

10. Blood of the Kings (7:29)

Total Time: 48:09

European and American CD bonus track:

7. Pleasure Slave (5:38)

Kings of Metal is the sixth album by heavy metal band Manowar. Released in 1988 by Atlantic Records, it is thought by many to be among their very best releases.[citation needed]

The album was the last to feature guitarist and founding member Ross "The Boss" Friedman, who later went on to rejoin punk band The Dictators. Drummer Scott Columbus left the band after this album as well, but rejoined for 1996's Louder Than Hell and remained with the band until 2008

Tyrant

 Today in 1986 Tyrant released the album Running Hot

Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany Heavy Metal , Speed Metal

Status:Split Up

Years active: 1981-1989

One of several bands over the years named Tyrant, this version was a German band of the mid-eighties, employing a standard Judas Priest/ Accept style that was quite prevalent in Europe at the time (see also bands such as Warrant, Gravestone and others).

Scratch Records

Kerrmit Vocals

King Carl Guitars

André Papack Bass

Micky Budde Drums

Side A

1. Rock Your Bottom 03:50

2. Breakout 02:53

3. Taste of Paradise 03:23

4. When the Raven Flies Again 03:27

5. Running Hot 04:50

Side B

6. Fire at Sea 04:06

7. Take the Most Dangerous Way 03:27

8. Get Ready 03:09

9. She's a Killer 03:33

10. Starlight 06:02

38:40

Recorded and mixed at Spygel Studios, Kirchheim / Teck, Germany, Sept/Oct. 1986.

Produced by Tyrant.

Remastered at Mighty Monster Records, Vellberg-Großaltdorf, Germany.

Beowülf

 Today in 1986 Beowülf releasesed there self titled album

Venice, California Hardcore punk,Heavy metal,Thrash metal,

Crossover thrash

Status:Active

Years active 1981–1995, 2000–present

Venice, California-based thrashers Beowulf (not to be confused with the earlier, L.A.-based hard rockers by the same name) formed in 1984 and featured singer/guitarist Dale Henderson, guitarist Mike Jensen, bassist Paul Yemada, and drummer Michael Alvarado. Friendly from the start with local legends Suicidal Tendencies, the quartet contributed two tracks to 1985's Suicidal Records' compilation Welcome to Venice, and then quickly recorded and released their self-titled debut a year later. This was followed by 1988's Lost My Head...But I'm Back on the Right Track LP, which was issued through Caroline Records and featured a thrashy version of Smokey Robinson's "Cruising." They released 2¢ in 1995 and decided to split up a short time later. They re-formed in 2000 and released Westminster & 5th in 2007.

Suicidal Records

Dale Henderson - vocals and guitar

Mike Jensen - guitar

Paul Yamada - bass

Michael Alvarado - drums

1"Took the Jewel" (2:35)

2"No Doubt" (2:47)

3"Drink, Fight, Fuck" (1:48)

4"All I Need" (2:41)

5"Shoot Them Down" (2:15)

6"Taste the Steel (Extended Fight Version)" (4:02)

7"Phuck" (3:16)

8"Get the Grind" (3:17)

9"Americanizm" (1:51)

10"Down 'Til Dead" (3:07)

11"Belligerence" (1:27)

12"Don't Give a Damn" (3:16)

13"(My Life) Alcohol" (3:03)

Beowülf is the debut album by the band of the same name, released in 1986.

Like many Beowülf albums, the recording is out of print. In 2004, the album was re-released as the first half of the Re-Releases compilation, along with its follow-up Lost My Head... But I'm Back on the Right Track.

Anthrax

 Today in 1983 Anthrax released the single Soldiers of Metal

Yonkers, New York Speed/Thrash, Groove Metal

Status:Active

Years active: 1981-present

As one of the so-called Big Four of 80's thrash metal (alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth), Anthrax enjoyed massive success in the 80's and still command a strong presence to this day. The group debuted with the raw, Metallica-ish Fistful Of Metal (the two bands being early signings to the Megaforce label), but it was the arrival of distinctive vocalist Joey Belladonna that coincided with the band taking off, with albums such as Spreading The Disease and Among The Living being bonafide thrash classics. By the end of the decade, however, relations between Belladonna and the others soured, resulting in his less-than-amicable departure. With new vocalist John Bush from Armored Saint in tow, Anthrax embarked on the second phase of their career. Despite good albums and Bush's unquestionable talent, Anthrax's popularity waned somewhat during the nineties, the band still holding on to their large fan base but not at the metal forefront as in years past.

The new millennium has seen the trials and tribulations of Anthrax reach almost soap-opera proportions. A reunion with Belladonna and old guitarist Dan Spitz led to a rejuvenated band and tour, and all seemed right with the world. But of course it couldn't last, and so out went Belladonna and Spitz, replaced by the unknown Dan Nelson and erstwhile guitarist Rob Caggiano. More drama ensued when Nelson was unceremoniously dumped from the band on the eve of a major tour, delaying the release of their already-recorded new album. And didn't we all see this coming? Joey Belladonna is back in the band as of May 2010, set to re-record vocals for the new album as well as tour. That new album, Worship Music, was released a year later.

Megaforce Records

Neil Turbin Vocals

Scott Ian Guitars

Dan Spitz Guitars

Dan Lilker Bass

Charlie Benante Drums (track 1)

Greg D'Angelo Drums (track 2)

Side A

1. Soldiers of Metal 03:08

Side B

2. Howling Furies 04:05 07:13

These tracks later appeared on European SPV's re-release of "Fistful of Metal" & "Armed and Dangerous" 2xCD set as bonus tracks.

Recording information:

Produced by Ross the Boss from Manowar. Track 1 features new drummer Charlie Benante, track 2 (from one of the demos) Greg D'Angelo.

Black Sabbath

 Today in 1981 Black Sabbath released the single Mob Rules

Birmingham, England Heavy/Traditional/Doom Metal

Status:Split Up

Years active: 1968 (as Polka Tulk), 1968-1969 (as Earth), 1969-2006, 2011-2017

Black Sabbath is one of the oldest and most well-known metal bands of all time, but they are much more than that -- they are the single most important band in the history of heavy metal, virtually defining the genre with the eight Ozzy-era albums (Black Sabbath through Never Say Die) of the seventies. As such, guitarist Tony Iommi might well be considered the father of the metal guitar riff, his distinctive style really unlike anyone else at the time, influencing an infinite number of guitarists that have followed. And they achieved their initial fame without major airplay, as really only "Paranoid" was a bonafide hit at the time. But those 70's releases contain some of the finest metal songs ever, such as "Black Sabbath" (the ultimate doom song), "Iron Man", "Sweet Leaf", "Symptom Of The Universe" (possibly the #1 BNR song of all time) and so many more.

Though Sabbath ruled the seventies without question, the succeeding years were a mixed bag. With Ozzy Osbourne out of the band and on his own, the vocalist spot fell to Rainbow man Ronnie James Dio, and the two studio albums he did with the band injected some much-needed new life into a band that by the late seventies was showing its age. Former Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan was an odd, interesting choice to succeed Dio, and the resulting Born Again album was inconsistent and not terribly well received, though it clearly had it's moments with songs such as "Zero The Hero". After that, the members grew apart and the band essentially dissolved, with the next album, Seventh Star, really a Iommi solo project released under the Black Sabbath name. Iommi and several lineups released several albums over the next decade, with only 1992's Dehumanizer, featuring a temporary return of Dio, sparking major interest, and the band gradually became more and more inactive as the nineties winded down.

Finally, in 1997, the original foursome came back together. Several reunion shows were done, some of which were released as Reunion (along with two studio tracks). Since then, the band has been an on-again, off-again affair, as Ozzy has continued his solo career both as a musician and as a general celebrity. Most recently has been the emergence of Heaven And Hell, featuring Dio, Iommi, Butler, and Vinny Appice -- a successful venture until Dio's untimely passing in May 2010. And finally, in November 2011, the original foursome has once again announced a reunion, complete with an upcoming album and tour.

Vertigo Records

Ronnie James Dio (R.I.P. 2010) Vocals

Tony Iommi Guitars

Geezer Butler Bass

Vinny Appice Drums

Guest/Session

Geoff Nicholls (R.I.P. 2017) Keyboards

Side A

1. The Mob Rules 03:04 Show lyrics

Side B

2. Die Young (live) 03:54 Show lyrics

06:58

Made in England.

Recording information:

- Mastered at The Master Room, London, UK.

- Track B recorded live 17.10.1980 at the Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY.

The Damned

 Today in 1977 The Damned released the album Music for Pleasure

London, England Punk rock, Gothic rock, Post-punk

Status: Active

Years active :1976-Present

They were rarely cited as the most important of the first wave of British punk bands, nor one of the most influential, but in many respects, the Damned can honestly claim to be first. They released the first U.K. punk single (1976's "New Rose" b/w "Help"), the first U.K. punk album (1977's Damned Damned Damned), and were the first British punks to tour the United States. They were also one of the first major bands on the scene to break up, and were later ahead of the pack when they reunited. And few of their peers have had a longer or more interesting career path. Playing music that was dark but playful at the same time, the Damned started out as a loud, hell-bent-for-leather punk quartet. They soon began adding psychedelic and garage rock influences into their music (1979's Machine Gun Etiquette), detoured into epic-scale pop with a dash of prog (1980's The Black Album), and embraced a tuneful but muscular take on goth (1985's Phantasmagoria), all within their first ten years. While the strong, mannered but witty vocals from Dave Vanian remained a constant, the band's personnel and style was in flux as the group broke up and reunited with remarkable frequency. They finally found a relatively stable lineup in the 2000s, led by Vanian and co-founder Captain Sensible, delivering a slick but enthusiastic fusion of pop, rock, and goth on latter-day albums such as 2008's So, Who's Paranoid? and 2018's Evil Spirits. Throug it all, the band's ability to take their music seriously without taking themselves seriously endeared them to a tremendously loyal fan base.

Stiff Records

Dave Vanian – vocals

Brian James – lead guitar, slide guitar on "One Way Love", backing vocals

Lu Edmunds – rhythm guitar

Captain Sensible – bass, backing vocals,

Rat Scabies – drums

Additional personnel

Lol Coxhill – saxophone on "You Know"

All tracks are written by Brian James, except as noted.

Side A

No. Title Writer(s) Length

1. "Problem Child" James, Rat Scabies 2:13

2. "Don't Cry Wolf" 3:15

3. "One Way Love" 3:44

4. "Politics" 2:26

5. "Stretcher Case" James, Scabies 1:52

6. "Idiot Box" Captain Sensible, Scabies 5:00

Side B

No. Title Writer(s) Length

1. "You Take My Money" 2:04

2. "Alone" 3:37

3. "Your Eyes" James, Dave Vanian 2:53

4. "Creep (You Can't Fool Me)" 2:12

5. "You Know" 5:05

CD reissue bonus tracks

No. Title Writer(s) Length

12. "Help" (Beatles cover) John Lennon, Paul McCartney 1:43

13. "Sick of Being Sick" 2:30

14. "Singalong a Scabies" Scabies 1:01

Music for Pleasure is the second studio album by English punk rock band the Damned. It was released on 18 November 1977 by Stiff Records.

Punk Flashback

 Todays Punk Flashback The Reducers

Things Go Wrong / We Are Normal (Vibes 1978). Classic mid tempo grungy bass driven single a la Stranglers with Lou Reed's 'Vicious' melody . Extremely catchy melodic punk. Another single though not in the same league Man With A Gun / Vengeance / Can't Stop Now (Vibes 79)

Band: Raggy F - Vocals. Graham Barstow - Drums. Roy Tynan - Guitar. Stuart Lyons - Bass