Speed Metal timeline
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Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield form Metallica
Metallica was formed in Los Angeles, California, in early 1981 when drummer Lars Ulrich placed an advertisement in a Los Angeles newspaper—The... Read more
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Metallica plays their first show
Metallica played its first live show on March 14, 1982, at Radio City in Anaheim, California with newly recruited bassist Ron McGovney. Read more
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Metallica releases its first original song "Hit the Lights"
In early 1982, Metallica recorded its first original song "Hit the Lights" for the Metal Massacre I compilation. Hetfield played bass on the song... Read more
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Dave Mustaine Leaves Metallica
In 1981, Dave Mustaine saw an ad in a newspaper for a band called Metallica. The band needed a guitar player, and he accepted the dutie of it.... Read more
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Savatage release Sirens
Sirens is Savatage's debut album, originally recorded in 1980 but released in 1983. It is much heavier than later Savatage albums, being closer to... Read more
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Metallica releases Kill 'Em All
Kill 'Em All is the debut album by American heavy metal band Metallica. The album was recorded in only two weeks on a small budget. Only 1500... Read more
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Slayer releases "Show No Mercy"
Show No Mercy is the debut album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released in December 1983 through Metal Blade Records. Brian Slagel signed... Read more
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Overkill releases the self-titled EP
Overkill is the first EP recorded by thrash metal band Overkill released in 1984 on Azra/Metal Storm records. The EP is included on the !!!Fuck... Read more
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Metal Church releases their self-titled debut album
Metal Church is the self-titled debut album of the heavy metal band of the same name. Released in 1984, this album and its successor are considered... Read more
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Metallica releases Ride the Lightning
Ride the Lightning is the second album by American heavy metal band Metallica, released on July 27, 1984 by Megaforce Records and re-released by... Read more
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Voivod release their debut album, War and Pain
War and Pain is the debut album from Canadian thrash metal/progressive metal band Voivod, which was released on August 10, 1984 through Metal Blade... Read more
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Dark Angel releases We Have Arrived
We Have Arrived is the debut studio album by thrash metal band, Dark Angel, released in 1985. In 1986 it was re-released by the French recording... Read more
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Savatage release The Dungeons Are Calling
The Dungeons Are Calling is the second studio album by Savatage, released in 1985 on Metal Blade Records. Though the album was not released until... Read more
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Overkill releases Feel the Fire
Feel the Fire is the debut album by American thrash metal band Overkill, released by Megaforce Records in 1985. Read more
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Exodus release Bonded by Blood
Bonded by Blood is the debut album by the San Francisco thrash metal band Exodus. Although the album was completed in the summer of 1984, it was... Read more
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Savatage release Power of the Night
Power of the Night is the third album by the heavy metal band Savatage and was released in 1985. This record was produced by the hot producer of... Read more
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Slayer Releases "Hell Awaits"
Hell Awaits is the second studio album by the American thrash metal band Slayer, released through Metal Blade Records in 1985. The band's previous... Read more
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Sepultura release Bestial Devastation
Bestial Devastation is an EP by Brazilian heavy metal band Sepultura, released in 1985 through Cogumelo Records. It is their first official... Read more
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Nuclear Assault release Game Over
Game Over is the debut album by thrash metal band Nuclear Assault, released in 1986. Read more
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Metallica releases Master of Puppets
Master of Puppets is the third album by American heavy metal band Metallica. The album was released on March 3, 1986 through Elektra Records.... Read more
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Voivod release Rrröööaaarrr
Rrröööaaarrr is the second album by Canadian thrash metal/progressive metal band Voivod. It was released in 1986 on Noise Records. Read more
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Rage releases Reign of Fear
Reign of Fear is the debut full-length album by the German heavy metal band Rage. It was released in 1986. The album was remastered by... Read more
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Cliff Burton, the bassist of Metallica, dies in a bus accident
During the European leg of the Damage Inc. tour in support of Master of Puppets, the band complained that the sleeping cubicles on their tour bus... Read more
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Metal Church releases The Dark
The Dark is the second full length album released by Metal Church. It was also the last album in which the line-up of Wayne, Vanderhoof, Arrington,... Read more
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Slayer Releases "Reign in Blood"
Reign in Blood is the third studio album and major label debut by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Released on October 7, 1986, the album was... Read more