heavy metal

1988
Helloween released Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II

In August 1988, Helloween released Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part II . This time the record featured more Weikath-penned tracks. The idea behind this was that the first album should feature tracks written by Hansen due to their similarity to the style of their debut, while the second album…
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Black Sabbath returning in August

Following the poor commercial performance of The Eternal Idol , Black Sabbath were dropped by both Vertigo Records and Warner Bros. Records, and signed with I.R.S. Records . The band took time off in 1988, returning in August to begin work on their next album. As a result of the…
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Motörhead On 2 July 1988 Motörhead were one of the performers at the Giants of

On 2 July 1988 Motörhead were one of the performers at the Giants of Rock Festival in Hämeenlinna , Finland. The tracks were released as No Sleep at All on 15 October. A single from the album was planned with the band wanting “Traitor” as the A-side, but ” Ace…
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Slayer Released in July 1988, South of Heaven received mixed responses from

Released in July 1988, South of Heaven received mixed responses from both fans and critics, although it was Slayer’s most commercially successful release at the time, debuting at number 57 on the Billboard 200, and their second album to receive gold certification in the United States. Press response to the…
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Def Leppard finally reached the top

The song hit No. 2, on the Hot 100 and Hysteria finally reached the top of the US Billboard 200 in July 1988.

X Japan Vanishing Tour

The Vanishing Tour Vol.2 took the band to 20 locations for 24 shows from June to July

Megadeth appeared in documentary

In June 1988, Megadeth appeared in Penelope Spheeris ‘ documentary The Decline of Western Civilization Part II: The Metal Years . The documentary chronicled the Los Angeles heavy metal scene of the late 1980s, and Spheeris, who had directed Megadeth in the video for ” Wake Up Dead “, decided…
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Led Zeppelin reunited again

The three members reunited again on 14 May 1988, for the Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary concert, with Bonham’s son Jason on drums. The result was again disjointed: Plant and Page had argued immediately before taking the stage about whether to play “Stairway to Heaven”, and Jones’ keyboards were absent from…
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Iron Maiden On 8 May 1988, Iron Maiden played a show at the legendary heavy metal

On 8 May 1988, Iron Maiden played a show at the legendary heavy metal venue L’Amour in Brooklyn under the name “Charlotte and the Harlots”. L’Amour was a regular hang-out for many band members and particularly Steve Harris, who knew DJ/Host/Booker Chuck Kaye .

Flotsam and Jetsam (band) Spencer left Flotsam and Jetsam shortly after a U.S. tour in the fall

Spencer left Flotsam and Jetsam shortly after a U.S. tour in the fall of 1987; his replacement was Troy Gregory . Their second studio album, No Place for Disgrace , was released in May 1988, and includes a cover of Elton John ‘s hit ” Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting…
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