Dig Me Out: 70s & 80s Metal

What happens when Poison’s fire-brand drummer trades stadium pyrotechnics for scrappy club gigs, hand-picks BulletBoys shredder Mick Sweda, and dares to mash up Duran Duran with T. Rex? Meet Rikki Rockett’s Rocket Mafia—the “anti-cover-band” cover band that’s rewriting the rules of ’80s metal nostalgia while plotting its own originals. Rikki Rockett—fresh off the Stadium Tour and revved up by moto...

Ever wonder why 80s glam metal still packs out tribute nights and sparks passionate debates decades later? This week on Dig Me Out, we’re throwing on the leather, cranking the Aquanet, and diving into the wild, hook-filled world of 80s Glam Metal —the scene that turned the Sunset Strip into rock’s most outrageous runway and gave us anthems for every party, heartbreak, and hair-flip in between. Fro...

The Riffs, the Ruin, and the Rise of Thrash What do you get when two broke metalheads with a single bass and guitar channel their chaos into one of thrash metal’s most iconic records? In 1986, Peace Sells... but Who’s Buying? marked Megadeth’s leap from Combat Records obscurity to Capitol-backed cult status. This episode of Dig Me Out unpacks how a band teetering on collapse crafted a cornerstone...

The Glam Album That’s Actually Power Pop Gold: Enuff Z’Nuff’s Dazzling 1989 Debut You’ve seen the neon. You’ve heard the name. But have you listened ? Enuff Z’Nuff’s self-titled 1989 debut is a glittering paradox: glam on the outside, power pop on the inside. Packed with lush harmonies, Beatlesque melodies, and MTV-ready swagger, it was a record caught between worlds—and in this episode, we unpack...

Before grunge wiped off the makeup and mainstream critics dismissed theatrical metal as style over substance, Lizzy Borden dropped one of the most ambitious—and overlooked—albums of the 1980s. Released in 1989, Master of Disguise blended glam metal, power ballads, orchestral flourishes, and horror-movie aesthetics into a concept record that was equal parts rock opera and emotional purge. In this e...

Before “Close My Eyes Forever” lit up the charts, before Headbanger’s Ball turned her into a fixture, Lita Ford was already a rock warrior—grinding through the scene, guitar in hand, defying expectations. In this episode, we dig into Lita (1988), the album that wasn’t just a comeback—it was a recalibration of what a woman in hard rock could sound like, look like, and fight for. We explore how Ford...

What happens when a band ditches thrash just as it goes mainstream… and dives headfirst into French poetry, industrial noise, and orchestral arrangements? You get Into the Pandemonium by Celtic Frost , a boundary-shattering 1987 album that still divides, bewilders, and inspires. In this episode, we dig deep into this genre-defying masterpiece that blurred the lines between black metal, gothic atmo...

What if one of punk rock’s most essential records wasn’t born in London or New York—but in a repressive corner of 1970s Australia? In this episode, we dive into I’m Stranded , the ferocious, lo-fi debut from Brisbane’s own The Saints —a band that burned bright before punk even knew what it was supposed to sound like. Recorded in just two days with cranked amps, no overdubs, and a heavy dose of you...

Before glam exploded and metal ruled MTV, one album tried to bridge the shred-heavy brilliance of Europe with the big-hook ambitions of American rock radio—only to be lost in the chaos of lineup changes and flashing lights. Literally. In this episode, we rediscover Assault Attack by the Michael Schenker Group—a cult classic released in 1982 that had everything going for it: a legendary guitarist,...

High and Dry: Def Leppard’s Gateway from NWOBHM to Arena Rock Kings Before Hysteria took over MTV and Pyromania lit up the charts, Def Leppard were loud, raw, and hungry. Their 1981 album, High and Dry, was the crucial turning point—bridging the grit of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) with the polished, hook-laden sound that would dominate ‘80s rock radio. But does it get the recognit...

From Grand Prix to McAuley Schenker Group (MSG) , Survivor , and the hard-hitting supergroup Black Swan , Robin McAuley has spent decades proving why he’s one of the most underrated vocalists in rock. Now, at 72 years old , he’s not slowing down—in fact, he’s getting heavier . In this episode, we sit down with Robin to discuss his brand-new solo album Soulbound (out Feb 28), his surprise detour in...

Our panel of metal experts to break down 1985—the year before metal's big explosion. Was it a golden age or just a transition? Our hosts Tim and Jason are joined by special guests Paul Lefevre ( Bang Your Head Substack ) and Tom Beaujour ( Nothing But a Good Time , Axe Lords Podcast ) to explore the records that still rip, the ones that fizzled, and the underground sounds that changed metal foreve...

Ready to uncover a hidden treasure of late 80s metal? In this episode, we take a deep dive into Vain's debut album No Respect —an overlooked gem from the glam metal scene’s final years. Hear how the San Francisco band crafted a raw, dark take on glam with thrash and punk influences, setting them apart from the Sunset Strip's neon excess. We’ll explore the album’s dynamic guitar work, Davey Vain’s...

In this special crossover episode, we’re spotlighting Buffalo’s 1973 Volcanic Rock—a raw, proto-metal gem that helped shape the sound of 80s Metal and 90s Rock. With primal riffs and fearless energy, Buffalo laid the groundwork for the heaviness embraced by bands like Metallica and Soundgarden. Picture it: the airwaves dominated by Dark Side of the Moon , Zeppelin’s Houses of the Holy , and Sabbat...

Picture this: It’s a crisp January morning in 1980. The new decade is fresh, brimming with possibility, and you’re flipping through the racks at your favorite record store. Disco is slipping out of fashion, punk’s rebellious roar still echoes, and the New Wave is gathering momentum. Amidst all this change, Rush—a band known for their sprawling progressive rock epics—is about to redefine themselves...

In 1987, the world of rock and metal was ruled by flamboyant frontmen and larger-than-life bands. But with Surfing with the Alien , Joe Satriani flipped the script. An instrumental album led not by a voice but by six strings, it captured the imaginations of rock fans and musicians alike, proving that the guitar itself could sing. Joe Satriani’s Surfing with the Alien is often hailed as a milestone...

March 1984. Prince, Kenny Loggins, and Bruce Springsteen dominated the pop charts, but something heavier was brewing. Hard rock and metal were clawing their way into the spotlight, and MTV was playing a pivotal role in this revolution. Enter Ratt, with their major-label debut, Out of the Cellar . In a year defined by arena-ready riffs and eye-catching videos, Ratt burst onto the scene with an albu...

In the summer of 1987, the music scene was shifting: the larger-than-life sounds of glam rock and heavy metal were at their peak, and the neon-drenched days of the MTV era were in full swing. Hair metal dominated, with bands like Def Leppard, Whitesnake, and Bon Jovi ruling the charts and radio. Rock fans were riding high on guitar solos, power ballads, and the theatrical spectacle of live shows....

October 1985: hair was big, riffs were bigger, and rock was veering toward an electrified blend of glam, grit, and decadence. Metalheads and rock fans everywhere were tuning in to MTV, where every week, a new video was promised to capture their attention. This era was when albums weren’t just records; they were statements dripping with attitude and energy. Bands like Quiet Riot, Ratt, and Mötley C...

April 1989 : The world was a strange mix of excess and transition. On one side, the neon-drenched MTV era was still riding high, with hair metal bands like Poison , Motley Crüe , and Def Leppard dominating the charts with their polished, radio-friendly anthems. Power ballads and arena rock were inescapable, and rock fans were tuned in to Bon Jovi and Guns N’ Roses . Yet, beneath the surface, chang...

In this episode, we dive into the unconventional journey of Riot and their 1990 album The Privilege of Power . As the 80s faded, Riot defied metal norms by blending their power metal roots with jazz horns, progressive influences, and politically charged themes. We explore the band’s turbulent history of lineup changes, bad luck, and the struggle for recognition despite their groundbreaking sound....

We explore the pivotal 1986 release by Canada’s iconic rock trio, Triumph, as they navigated the evolving landscape of 80s music. Blending their signature guitar-driven sound with radio-friendly synths and melodic hooks, the album reflects the band’s attempt to balance commercial success with their hard rock roots. Dive into the musical experimentation, industry pressures, and how this era-definin...

As the curtain began to fall on the extravagant 80s, the dawn of the 90s brought an undercurrent of change to the music world. In 1990, the air was thick with anticipation—grunge was still bubbling under the surface, and glam metal was clinging to its throne, not yet ready to relinquish its crown. This was a time when bands like Tigertailz were still riding high on the wave of excess and flamboyan...

1990 was a year on the cusp of change. The world was watching as the Berlin Wall fell, signaling the end of an era. In pop culture, we were transitioning from the neon glow of the ’80s into the more grounded and grunge-tinged ’90s. But in the heart of New York City, a different kind of sound was brewing—a sound that captured the raw, untamed energy of the streets. Spread Eagle’s self-titled debut...

Remember the late ’80s when thrash metal was still underground? Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, and Anthrax were solidifying their places as the big four of thrash and “The Black Album” hadn’t propelled the genre to the mainstream yet. Amidst these giants, bands like Paradox were also carving their unique paths with blistering riffs and complex compositions. If you’re the type of metalhead who loves...