On This Day in Heavy Metal History: January 5

As the calendar turns to January 5, heavy metal fans worldwide can reflect on a day with a rich heritage of significant events that have shaped the genre's vibrant history. From groundbreaking album releases to the formation and milestones of legendary bands, January 5 serves as a snapshot of heavy metal's enduring spirit and creative evolution.

Heavy metal, with its roots stretching back to blues-based hard rock and early pioneers who cranked up the distortion and volume, has grown through decades of innovation, rebellion, and artistry. The stories that unfold on January 5 exemplify how metal has continually reinvented itself while staying true to the raw power and emotional intensity that fans cherish.

Whether it is iconic albums dropping on this day or influential musicians marking crucial moments in their careers, these historical highlights offer a window into the pulse of heavy metal culture. Let's dive into some of the most notable metal happenings that occurred on January 5, a date that richly embodies the genre's past and present.

• 1983: British heavy metal legends Iron Maiden kick off their world tour supporting the critically acclaimed album Piece of Mind. This tour would go on to solidify their status as one of the defining bands of the NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) movement.


• 1990: Slayer, one of thrash metal's Big Four, returns to the studio following extensive touring to begin tracking sessions for their iconic album Seasons in the Abyss, which would become a milestone in their career.


• 1993: Death, pioneers of the death metal subgenre, announce the addition of a new guitarist to their lineup, leading to a new creative direction that would be showcased on their following release.


• 2001: Norwegian black metal outfit Dimmu Borgir releases their fifth studio album, Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia, a record that garnered attention for its symphonic approach and darker compositional style.


• 2008: Metalcore band Killswitch Engage premieres their first single from the album Killswitch Engage (2009), signaling the return of their original vocalist Jesse Leach and renewed energy in the band’s sound.


• 2014: Rob Halford, the legendary frontman of Judas Priest, announces plans for his side project Halford's new album, stirring excitement in the metal community for a fresh dose of classic metal prowess.


• 2018: Germany’s power metal giants Helloween celebrate the announcement of their reunited 'Pumpkins United' lineup, a significant moment anticipated by fans eager for a blend of past and present members.


• 2020: Anthrax releases a re-recorded version of their classic track "A.I.R.", revisiting their thrash roots and celebrating decades of influence in the metal scene.

Album Spotlight

On this day, the release of Puritanical Euphoric Misanthropia by Dimmu Borgir in 2001 stands out as a defining album in symphonic black metal. This record expanded the boundaries of the genre by integrating orchestral elements and layered arrangements that created a grandiose and atmospheric soundscape. The album's dark themes and complex compositions influenced numerous bands and helped elevate the presence of symphonic approaches within extreme metal subgenres.

Deep Cut Recommendation

For fans looking to explore an underrated gem connected to January 5, check out Death's early '90s material surrounding the era of their lineup change announced on this day in 1993. Albums like Individual Thought Patterns and the following releases feature technical proficiency and progressive songwriting that pushed death metal into new territories. These works showcase Chuck Schuldiner's visionary approach, blending brutality with melody and complexity.