Remembering the legendary Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy, who passed away at the age of 36 on this day in 1986.

Your yearly reminder that heavy metal Christmas songs exist. Should you wish to have yourself a not-so-silent night this evening, I have some suggestions: www.heavymetalnomad.com/blog-4-1/hea...

Dark Angel released their second album Darkness Descends on this day in 1986. It was their last album to feature original vocalist Don Doty, and their first with Gene Hogland on drums. www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwJO...

Fates Warning released the album Awaken The Guardian on this day in 1986. It was their last album to feature John Arch on lead vocals, and it's definitely my favorite of the 3 albums from the Arch era. www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLFu...

Your annual reminder that you can do better than "Ghostbusters." Here are some suggestions from yours truly to help make your Halloween playlist just a little scarier (and a whole lot louder): www.heavymetalnomad.com/blog-4-1/hea...

Happy 74th birthday to the legendary KK Downing of Judas Priest!

Remembering Martin Eric Ain, bassist and co-founder of Hellhammer and Celtic Frost, who died of a heart attack at the age of 50 on this day in 2017.

Possessed released their debut album Seven Churches on this day in 1985. The album had a huge influence on extreme metal, and some fans and critics consider it the first death metal album.

One of the greatest live metal albums of all time, Iron Maiden's Live After Death was released on this day in 1985.

Thin Lizzy released the album Chinatown on this day in 1980.

NWOBHM legends Diamond Head released their debut album Lightning To The Nations on this day in 1980. "The Prince", "Ami I Evil?", "Helpless" and "It's Electric" have all been covered by Metallica.

The hugely influential self-titled debut album from Bathory was released on this day in 1984.

Iron maiden released the album No Prayer For The Dying on this day in 1990. It is their first album to feature Janick Gers on guitar, who replaced Adrian Smith. Adrian re-joined in 2000 for the Brave New World album.

At The Gates vocalist Tomas Lindberg has died after a battle with adenoid cystic carcinoma. Their album Slaughter Of The Soul is a masterpiece of melodic death metal, and a cornerstone of what became known as "The Gothenburg sound." I was lucky enough to purchase a copy in Gothenburg in 2024. RIP

On this day in 2009, Ronnie James Dio performed live for the very last time with Heaven And Hell in Atlantic City, NJ. He died from stomach cancer less than a year later at the age of 67.

Happy birthday to the Metal God! Rob Halford is 74 today.

Terrible news. www.metalsucks.net/2025/08/21/e...

Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy would've been 76 today.

If someone asks you, "Do you want to join us for a discussion about Ozzy Osbourne?," the answer is always Yes!! Thanks to the boys from the Retro Ridoctopus Podcast for having me on to talk about my favorite Ozzy solo record. (Hint: it sure as hell ain't the one with "Shot In The Dark!") Listen:

Ozzy, KISS, Motley Crue, The Who...we've seen these "Final Tour" announcements before, so we'll see if it is indeed the final tour for Megadeth. If it is the final album, I'd love to see Dave reunite with Dave Ellefson and Marty Friedman for one last LP, but looks like that's not in the cards...

Dio released the album Sacred Heart on this day in 1985. It was the final Dio album to feature guitarist Vivian Campbell, who would go on to join Whitesnake and then Def Leppard.

Happy 67th birthday to Bruce Dickinson!

The debut album from Ritchie Blackmore's Rainbow was released 50 years ago today, featuring the mighty Ronnie James Dio on lead vocals.

Black Sabbath released their 6th album Sabotage on this day in 1975. Tied with Paranoid as my favorite from the classic Ozzy era.

Ozzy. Absolutely gutted.

Happy 66th birthday to Jon Oliva, co-founder, keyboardist and sometimes lead vocalist of the band Savatage.

Black Sabbath released their 3rd album Master Of Reality on this day in 1971. One of their best, and certainly one of the greatest heavy metal albums of all time.

Happy 44th birthday to Anthrax, formed on this day in 1981.

Remembering Kelly Johnson, guitarist and sometimes singer for Girlschool, who passed away after a long battle with spinal cancer at the age of 49 on this day in 2007.

Megadeth released Countdown to Extinction on this day in 1992. Also, remembering former Megadeth drummer Gar Samuelson, who passed away at the age of 41 from Liver failure on this day in 1999. Gar played on Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good and on Peace Sells...But Who's Buying?

Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was born on this day in 1946.

Happy 57th birthday to George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher, lead vocalist for Cannibal Corpse!

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Arizona thrashers Flotsam & Jetsam released their debut studio album Doomsday For The Deceiver on this day in 1986. Future Metallica member Jason Newsted played bass on the album.

Happy 62nd birthday to Yngwie J. Malmsteen!

Happy 63rd birthday to Chuck Billy, lead singer of Testament!

40 years ago today, Megadeth released their debut album Killing Is My Business...And Business Is Good!

Swedish doom pioneers Candlemass released their debut album Epicus Doomicus Metallicus on this day in 1986. A cornerstone of the doom metal sub-genre. www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs37...

Obviously not metal, but sad to hear of the passing of Sly Stone. I don't have all of his records, but the ones I do have are all total bangers. RIP, Sly.

Suicidal Tendencies released their second album Join The Army on this day in 1987. The album is a classic example of "crossover thrash," a hybrid of punk and thrash metal that emerged in the 80's. Other crossover bands at the time included DRI, Corrosion Of Conformity, Cryptic Slaughter, and SOD.

A new documentary on German thrash legends Kreator will be released on September 4th. Looks great, can't wait to see it!

Happy 73rd birthday to Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain! Nicko played with Pat Travers and the French band Trust before joining Maiden for 1983's Piece Of Mind album. He retired from touring in 2024, but remains a member of the band and will play on any future studio projects.

Uriah Heep released their 4th album Demons & Wizards on this day in 1972. The song "Easy Livin'" was released as a single, becoming the band's first and only American Top 40 hit, peaking at #39 in '72.

15 years ago today, we lost a legend. Here are 15 reasons why Ronnie James Dio was one of the greatest heavy metal vocalists of all time. Read my piece for Heavy Metal Nomad:

Arizona thrashers Sacred Reich released their second full-length album The American Way on this day in 1990.

Remembering the late Chuck Schuldiner, founder/vocalist/guitarist of Death, who would've turned 58 today.

Excellent news for fellow Motorhead-bangers!

Happy 77th birthday to Bill Ward, legendary (and hugely underrated) drummer for the mighty Black Sabbath!

Remembering the legendary Jeff Hanneman of Slayer, who passed away on this day in 2013 at the age of 49.

Bay area thrashers Testament released their debut album The Legacy on this day in 1987.