Few albums have left a lasting scar on the face of heavy metal quite like Shout at the Devil, Mötley Crüe’s sophomore effort. Released on September 23, 1983, the album propelled the Los Angeles rebels into the stratosphere of rock stardom, blending sleazy glam, pounding riffs, and enough controversy to make conservative America clutch its pearls. From its ominous pentagram cover art to its unapologetically raw lyrics, Shout at the Devil was on most record players that year, even if you didn’t listen to metal.
1. The Kiss Tour Debacle That Became Legend
Before Shout at the Devil dropped, Mötley Crüe landed a coveted spot opening for Kiss on their Creatures of the Night tour. But their wild antics quickly wore thin. Gene Simmons famously kicked the band off the tour after just five shows, citing their “bad behavior.” Rumor has it, their backstage antics, which included copious partying and pushing every rule to its limit, were too much even for Kiss, who weren’t exactly saints themselves. Getting booted by the Demon himself only added to Mötley’s growing reputation as rock’s ultimate bad boys.
2. Nikki Sixx and the Hells Angels Incident
The aggression in “Knock ’Em Dead, Kid” wasn’t just an act—it was born from a real-life showdown between Nikki Sixx and a group of undercover cops masquerading as Hells Angels. After swinging a chain belt in self-defense, Sixx found himself on the receiving end of a brutal beatdown, leaving him with a black eye and a broken cheekbone. The incident inspired one of the album’s most ferocious tracks, a gritty anthem of defiance that drips with the energy of a street brawl.
3. The Pentagram Backstory
The pentagram that graced the album cover wasn’t just a random shock tactic—it was a nod to Nikki Sixx’s roots. Sixx borrowed the occult imagery from his time in the band Sister, where he shared the stage with future W.A.S.P. frontman Blackie Lawless. While Sixx used the symbol to create mystique, he didn’t anticipate the backlash. The album’s release ignited a firestorm of accusations that the band was promoting Satanism, with the band denying this, making sure we all knew it was Shout at the Devil, not with. Still, the controversy only fueled its success.
4. Filming “Looks That Kill” and the Warrior Princess
The music video for “Looks That Kill” was shot over 18 chaotic hours on the A&M Records soundstage in Los Angeles. Featuring model Wendy Barry as the “warrior princess,” the video’s mix of fiery theatrics and heavy riffs cemented its iconic status. Barry, who also appeared in Ratt’s “Back for More” video, described the Crüe as “fun and down-to-earth,” a surprising contrast to their growing reputation for debauchery. Behind the scenes, the band’s camaraderie was as magnetic as their stage presence.
5. The Band Claim They Did It All Themselves
When Mötley Crüe released Shout at the Devil, their record label, Elektra Records, invested almost nothing in marketing, publicity, or advertising, says the band. Despite this lack of support, the album went on to sell an astonishing five million copies. As bassist Nikki Sixx reflected in 2000, “Everybody starts patting themselves on the back. But it’s Mötley Crüe that did that, not Elektra Records.”
Shout at the Devil smashed the Billboard charts, spawned MTV staples, and helped solidify glam metal’s reign over the ’80s. With its mix of controversy, raw energy, and undeniable hooks, the album captured the essence of rebellion. Decades later, its influence is still felt, not just in the music of the bands it inspired, but in the unapologetic attitude that defined a generation.
Mötley Crüe’s Shout at the Devil roared, and the world hasn’t stopped listening. \m/
