What Happened in Heavy Metal Music in 1987

This year was a big one for heavy metal music. Some of the genre’s biggest bands released some of their most iconic albums, and several new bands made their debut. Here’s a look at some of the most important events in heavy metal music in 1987.

Def Leppard releases Hysteria

In 1987, Def Leppard released their fourth studio album, Hysteria. The album was a commercial success, selling over 20 million copies worldwide, and is regarded as one of the definitive albums of the 1980s. It spawned seven hit singles, including “Pour Some Sugar on Me” and “Armageddon It”.

Metallica releases …And Justice for All

It’s been argued that …And Justice for All was the last great Metallica album. It was also the band’s first album without founding bassist Cliff Burton, who’d died in a bus accident during the support tour for 1986’s Master of Puppets. Replacing him was Jason Newsted, who’d previously played with Flotsam and Jetsam. Newsted brought a different energy to Metallica – he was younger, more enthusiastic, and less technically proficient than Burton. This led to tension within the band, which is partially why …And Justice for All sounds the way it does: It’s an aggressive, angsty album that feels like it’s trying to prove something. Highlights include “Blackened,” “Eye of the Beholder,” and “One,” which would go on to win a Grammy for Best Metal Performance.

Megadeth releases Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?

1987 was an important year in heavy metal music, with Megadeth releasing their classic album Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying?, Metallica putting out the groundbreaking …And Justice for All, and Guns N’ Roses making a huge splash with their debut album Appetite for Destruction. This was also the year that Slayer released their much-anticipated album Reign in Blood, which is often cited as one of the greatest metal albums of all time. Other notable albums from 1987 include Iron Maiden’s Somewhere in Time, Anthrax’s Among the Living, AC/DC’s Who Made Who, and Motörhead’s Orgasmatron.

Anthrax releases Among the Living

Among the Living is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released on March 22, 1987 by Megaforce Worldwide/Island Records. The album reached No. 7 on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

The record’s singles “I Am the Law” and “Indians” both had music videos filmed for them which received heavy airplay on MTV’s Headbangers Ball. “I Am the Law” is based on the Judge Dredd character from British comics, while “Indians” alludes to Native American stereotypes and oppression.

Among the Living was Anthrax’s first album to feature guitarist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello, who replaced founding member Dan Lilker during 1986. It was also the first Anthrax album to be recorded at Cosmic Eye Studios in Dublin, Ireland.

Slayer releases Reign in Blood

Slayer releases Reign in Blood: Arguably the greatest metal album ever made, Reign in Blood signaled a new era in heaviness for metal. With its breakneck speed, mind-bending riffage, and vegan-unfriendly lyrical content, the album was too much for some listeners. But for those who could handle it, Reign in Blood was a revelation, and a generation of metalheads would never be the same.

Iron Maiden releases Somewhere in Time

On September 29, 1986, British heavy metal band Iron Maiden released their sixth studio album, Somewhere in Time. The album was a commercial and critical success, reaching number three on the UK Albums Chart and being certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Somewhere in Time features Maiden’s use of synthesizers for the first time, which was heavily criticized by some fans and critics. However, the band’s use of synthesizers was praised by others and helped to broaden their sound.

Guns N’ Roses releases Appetite for Destruction

On July 21, 1987, Guns N’ Roses released their debut album Appetite for Destruction. The album was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart. It has since been certified diamond by the RIAA, selling over 30 million copies worldwide. The album features the singles “Welcome to the Jungle”, “Paradise City”, and “Sweet Child o’ Mine”.

Ozzy Osbourne releases No Rest for the Wicked

On September 24, 1987, Ozzy Osbourne released his sixth studio album, No Rest for the Wicked. The album featured the single “Shot in the Dark”, which became one of Osbourne’s most successful singles. With this album, Osbourne moved away from the heavier sound of his previous albums and instead incorporated elements of hard rock and pop music. This change in direction was praised by critics and fans alike.

In support of the album, Osbourne embarked on the “No Rest for the Wicked World Tour”. The tour was a massive success, playing to sold-out arenas and stadiums across the world. It also generated a great deal of controversy due to Osbourne’s use of profanity and obscene gestures during his performances. This only served to increase the tour’s popularity, aspeople were eager to see what Osbourne would do next.

The No Rest for the Wicked World Tour would ultimately go down in history as one of the most successful and controversial tours ever undertaken by a heavy metal artist. It solidified Ozzy Osbourne’s place as one of the genre’s biggest stars and set the stage for his continued success in the years to come.

Kiss releases Crazy Nights

On October 13, 1987, American hard rock band Kiss released their 14th studio album Crazy Nights. The album was a commercial success, reaching #7 on the US Billboard 200 chart and selling over two million copies in the United States. The album featured the single “Crazy Crazy Nights”, which peaked at #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of the band’s most successful singles.

Motley Crue releases Girls, Girls, Girls

On May 15, 1987, Motley Crue released their fourth studio album, Girls, Girls, Girls. The album was the band’s first to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and was a commercial success, reaching number two on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album’s lead single, “Wild Side”, peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number two on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. The song has been credited with helping to popularize the glam metal genre. The album’s title track was also a success, reaching number 18 on the Hot 100 and number three on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.

Girls, Girls, Girls received mixed reviews from music critics. AllMusic’s Steve Huey praised the album for its “raw energy” and “uncompromising rock & roll attitude”, while Rolling Stone’s David Fricke criticized it for its “posturing” and “puerile posing”. Despite its mixed reception, the album is considered one of Motley Crue’s best-known albums and is often cited as an influential release in heavy metal music.