Fight
Inspired by the aggressive new metal sounds of the likes of Pantera, Skid Row and Metallica, Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford formed Fight as a solo project to explore material which he felt was inappropriate for Priest, but it eventually led to a bitter and acrimonious split from his old band as they celebrated 20 years together. Taking Priest drummer Scott Travis with him, Halford recruited guitarists Russ Parish (ex-War And Peace) and Brian Tilse plus bassist Jay Jay (both from local Phoenix, Arizona, band Cyanide) for WAR OF WORDS. While Pantera comparisons were obvious, Fight proved themselves not to be the clone band some had feared with the intense material given individual character by Halford's distinctive vocal delivery, and the band delivered with powerful live shows. However, the intense tour schedule proved too much for Parish, who was replaced by Robbie Lockner for the Anthrax US tour and then permanently by Mark Chaussee as Fight performed with Metallica across the USA and released the MUTATIONS mini-album, a collection of live tracks and covers, including Freewheel Burnings, before going to work on their second album A SMALL DEADLY SPACE. Subjects addressed in the lyrics of this excellent release ranged from AIDS, the Holocaust, child abuse and domestic violence.