80s Metal

With a visor for eyes and caps for ears, Vic Rattlehead’s iconic guise tells a story of metal, censorship, and rebellion woven into Megadeth’s fabric.

A look back at why Dave Mustaine was fired from Metallica, when it happened, and the unforgettable Metallica songs that carry his signature to this day.

Two teenagers in a sleepy English village started a band that would make music history. Napalm Death’s journey from anarcho-punk angst to the blistering fury of grindcore redefined the limits of extreme music.

Rob Halford brought leather and studs to heavy metal. His look transcended the stage, influencing fans and bands alike.

The night Slayer played at New York’s Felt Forum, fans didn’t just headbang. They ripped seat cushions, tossed them like confetti, and made metal history.

When it came to rock ‘n roll and safety, Van Halen mixed both with a bowl of M&Ms. This legendary clause was the band’s quick and effective way to gauge if venues were up to the technical challenge.

When Ozzy Osbourne took a straw to a line of ants, he set a whole new bar for Mötley Crüe and rock ‘n’ roll excess.

Elizabeth Báthory, a 16th-century countess with a notorious reputation, and Venom’s metal anthem “Countess Bathory” find common ground in the story of how Bathory got its name.

Julian Doyle, a British filmmaker who collaborated with Monty Python, directs Iron Maiden’s video for “Can I Play With Madness”. Doyle approached Graham Chapman for the role, blending the worlds of British comedy and heavy metal in a unique way.

The Cavalera brothers brought more than just noise with “Morbid Visions”; they brought a seismic shift to the Brazilian and global metal landscape.

From Metal Mania to Metallica, Ron Quintana has been a guiding force in metal’s Bay Area history.

Kerry King and Dave Mustaine, two titans of thrash metal, momentarily silenced their rivalry for a harmonious rendezvous in 1984.

The members of Carcass first crossed paths in record stores and at hardcore gigs, little knowing they’d soon redefine a genre.

In the turbulent narrative of Norwegian black metal, Euronymous emerged as a controversial yet pivotal figure, crafting a legacy through Deathlike Silence Productions that still echoes in the dark corners of the genre.

With its release in 1985, “Hell Awaits” not only marked a pivotal point in Slayer’s musical journey but also laid a foundation for the darker and more aggressive forms of metal that dominated the late 80s and 90s.

From its inception, “Show No Mercy” heralded a new era of thrash metal, introducing the world to Slayer’s signature blend of speed, aggression, and dark thematic elements. Over the years, it has fostered a cult following, transcending generations and continuing to resonate with fans old and new.

The evolution of metal fashion stands as a narrative of rebellion and diversity, a fluid reflection of shifting musical and societal landscapes over decades, embodying a spirit of non-conformity and unique identity.

In the early 1980s, Tom Araya stood at the crossroads of medicine and music, fostering a budding Slayer legacy amidst the quietude of hospital corridors.

In the midst of the 80s, the rock world witnessed a legal face-off involving Ozzy Osbourne and his song “Suicide Solution”, a case that questioned the boundaries of artistic freedom and responsibility.

In 1985, the music landscape witnessed a significant shift with the formation of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), spearheading a campaign against explicit content in music. This period marks the genesis of the controversial “Filthy Fifteen” list and the subsequent establishment of “Parental Advisory” labels.