Flashback to 1984
1984: Was More than just the title of George Orwell’s novel. The year was pivotal in the development of heavy metal, as both thrash and power metal became more than just a paradigm archetype. Meanwhile, the giants of the genre continued to grow bigger than ever, maximizing platinum sales, sold-out tours, and extensive airplay on radio and Music. Let’s take a look at this historical year in history and music!
Events involving music
- Def Leppard’s drummer Rick Allen lost his left arm in a car accident on December 31.
- Deep Purple reunites.
- Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle is killed in an automobile accident in early December. The driver of the car is Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe.
- The debut albums of both Saint Vitus (Saint Vitus) and Trouble (Psalm 9) are released.
- This is Spinal Tap, a cult mockumentary directed by Rob Reiner about the semi-fictional band Spinal Tap, is released.
The Top 10
10. Cirith Ungol – King of the Dead
9. Metallica – Ride the Lightning
8. Dio – The Last in Line
7. Bathory – Bathory
6. Deep Purple – Perfect Strangers
5. Metal Church – Metal Church
4. Iron Maiden – Powerslave
3. W.A.S.P. – W.A.S.P.
2. Judas Priest – Defenders of the Faith
1.Mercyful Fate – Don’t Break the Oath
You will not find a better combination of highly accomplished and highly inventive guitar wizardry than here. Some songs are packed with more killer riffs than some bands produce in their entire career. Incorporating more progressive rock ideas into song structure and performance the band effectively developed their sound and produced some of their best songs from “A Dangerous Meeting” to “Come to the Sabbath”. This is a great CD. A true cornerstone for heavy metal in general. Fronted by the infamous King Diamond, ‘Don’t Break the Oath’ is truly a haunting journey. Every fan of metal needs this album….
Track list
1. A Dangerous Meeting (5:10)
2. Nightmare (6:19)
3. Desecration of Souls (4:54)
4. Night of the Unborn (4:59)
5. The Oath (7:31)
6. Gypsy (3:08)
7. Welcome Princes of Hell (4:03)
8. To One Far Away (1:31)
9. Come to the Sabbath (5:19)
10. Death Kiss (demo)* (4:30)
Line-up/Musicians
– King Diamond / Vocals, Keyboards, Harpsichord
– Hank Shermann / Guitars
– Michael Denner / Guitars
– Timi “Grabber” Hansen / Bass
– Kim Ruzz / Drums
Historical Events of 1984
Jan 24 Apple Computer Inc unveils its revolutionary Macintosh personal computer- Feb 29 Pierre Trudeau announces he is stepping down after 15 years as Canadian Prime Minister
- Apr 23 AIDS-virus identified as HTLV-III (acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
- Jun 5 Indira Gandhi orders an attack on Sikh’s holiest site, the Golden Temple in Amritsar
- Dec 3 Bhopal disaster: Union Carbide pesticide plant leak 45 tons of methyl isocyanate and other toxic compounds in Bhopal, India, kills 2,259 (official figure) – other estimates as high as 16,000 (including later deaths) and over half a million injured
- Dec 19 Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sign the Sino-British Joint Declaration to transfer Hong Kong back to China in 1997
1984 in Film & TV
- Sep 20 “The Cosby Show” premieres on NBC-TV starring Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad
- Oct 26 “The Terminator” directed by James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton is released in the US
- Nov 9 Wes Craven’s horror film “A Nightmare on Elm Street” premieres in the US
-Georgina Strilakos