Fight (band)

Last updated

Fight
Fight Epic.jpg
Fight in 1993
Background information
Origin Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 19921995
  • 1997
Labels Epic Records
Spinoff of Judas Priest
Past members Rob Halford
Brian Tilse
John "Jay Jay" Brown
Scott Travis
Russ Parrish
Robby Lochner
Mark Chaussee

Fight was a heavy metal band formed in Phoenix, Arizona by British vocalist Rob Halford following his departure from Judas Priest in 1992. [2]

Contents

Biography

The band's origins date back to 1991 after Halford attended a Pantera show during their tour supporting Cowboys From Hell . Being inspired by their sound, he invited them to tour with Judas Priest in Europe, befriending them in the process to help his desire for a more aggressive American metal sound. During the early rehearsal sessions for the Operation Rock & Roll tour, Halford started writing material of his own, influenced by the hardcore direction of upcoming American metal bands of the 1990's. What would've been just a solo project while remaining in Judas Priest, his relationship with the band deteriorated, resulting in his departure. He would spend much of 1992 appearing with bands such as Black Sabbath, [3] Pantera [4] and Skid Row, [5] [6] all the while writing and recording demos through the early part of 1993. Halford would meet Jay Jay, his tattoo artist, who discovers that he was a bass guitarist for a local Phoenix based hardcore band called Cyanide. After attending one of their shows, he hired him and guitarist Brian Tilse. Guitarist Russ Parrish from Jeff Pilson's band War & Peace joined soon after and was finalized with the addition of drummer Scott Travis from Judas Priest, who was still the band's member at the time. [7] The band known as Fight was formed. The debut album War of Words was released on September 14, 1993. [8] [9] [10] An EP titled Mutations was released on July 12, 1994, containing live tracks and studio remixes. Russ Parrish left the band in early 1994 and was temporarily replaced by Robby Lochner for the live shows until new guitarist Mark Chaussee from The Coup de Grace joined later that year. The second album A Small Deadly Space was released on April 18, 1995, but was not as successful as War of Words. [11] With plans for the tour in support of the album to continue into 1996 and for a third album to materialize, [12] the change in the music industry and the diminished interest in the band resulted in their dismissal from Epic Records due to lack of demand and their disbandment in the Fall of 1995.

On December 20, 1997, Fight reunited with three of the original members for a one-off performance at the Mason Jar in Phoenix. [13]

Halford would not rule out the possibility of the band's reformation. [14] [15]

Discography

Studio albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsSales
USA
[16]
SWE
[17]
GER
[18]
War of Words
  • Released: September 9, 1993
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: CD, digital download
834956
A Small Deadly Space
  • Released: April 18, 1995
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: CD, digital download
12048
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

TitleAlbum details
Mutations
  • Released: July 12, 1994
  • Label: Epic
  • Formats: CD
K5 – The War of Words Demos
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Sony Music
  • Formats: CD, digital download
Into the Pit
  • Released: July 4, 2008
  • Label: Metal God Entertainment
  • Formats: CD (box set)

Video albums

TitleAlbum details
War of Words – The Film
  • Released: 2007
  • Label: Metal God Entertainment
  • Formats: DVD

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pantera</span> American heavy metal band

Pantera is an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers, and currently composed of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-known lineup consisted of the Abbott brothers along with Brown and Anselmo, who joined in 1982 and 1986, respectively. The band is credited for developing and popularizing the subgenre of groove metal in the 1990s. Regarded as one of the most successful and influential bands in heavy metal history, Pantera has sold around 20 million records worldwide and has received four Grammy nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judas Priest</span> British heavy metal band

Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in Birmingham in 1969. They have sold over 50 million albums and are frequently ranked as one of the greatest metal bands of all time. Judas Priest have also been referred to as one of the pioneers of the new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) movement, and are cited as a formative influence on various heavy metal subgenres, including speed metal, thrash metal, power metal, and the hard rock/glam metal scene of the 1980s. Despite an innovative and pioneering body of work in the latter half of the 1970s, the band had struggled with poor record production and a lack of major commercial success until 1980, when their sixth studio album British Steel brought them notable mainstream attention.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dimebag Darrell</span> American guitarist (1966–2004)

Darrell Lance Abbott, best known by his stage name Dimebag Darrell, was an American musician. He was the guitarist of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan, both of which he co-founded alongside his brother Vinnie Paul. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest metal guitarists of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Halford</span> British heavy metal singer (born 1951)

Robert John Arthur Halford is an English heavy metal singer. He is best known as the lead vocalist of Judas Priest, which was formed in 1969 and has received accolades such as the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance. He has been noted for his powerful and wide ranging operatic vocal style and trademark leather-and-studs image, both of which have become iconic in heavy metal. He has also been involved with several side projects, including Fight, Two, and Halford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glenn Tipton</span> English guitarist

Glenn Raymond Tipton is an English guitarist. Often noted for his complex playing style and classically influenced solos, he is best known as one of the lead guitarists for the heavy metal band Judas Priest. He is the second longest-serving member of the band, after bassist and co-founder Ian Hill. Tipton and Hill are the only two members of the band who have appeared on every studio album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim "Ripper" Owens</span> American heavy metal singer

Timothy S. "Ripper" Owens is an American heavy metal singer who currently performs with KK's Priest, Spirits of Fire, the Three Tremors and A New Revenge. He first gained attention as the lead singer of Judas Priest and then Iced Earth. He took the nickname "Ripper" from the Judas Priest song "The Ripper" during his time in the tribute band British Steel.

<i>Sad Wings of Destiny</i> 1976 studio album by Judas Priest

Sad Wings of Destiny is the second studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 26 March 1976 by Gull Records. It is considered the album on which Judas Priest consolidated their sound and image, and songs from it such as "Victim of Changes" and "The Ripper" have since become live standards. It was the band's only album to feature drummer Alan Moore.

<i>Power Metal</i> (album) 1988 studio album by Pantera

Power Metal is the fourth studio album by American heavy metal band Pantera, released on June 24, 1988, through Metal Magic Records. It is the first Pantera album to feature Phil Anselmo on lead vocals, as part of Pantera's best-known lineup which would last until the band's breakup in 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roy Z</span> American guitarist (born 1968)

Roy Z Ramirez is an American guitarist, songwriter and record producer, best known for his work with Bruce Dickinson, Halford, and Judas Priest. He also is the founder of Tribe of Gypsies, a Latin-influenced hard rock band. Roy also helped write and produce the band Life After Death in 1996.

<i>Sin After Sin</i> 1977 studio album by Judas Priest

Sin After Sin is the third studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, released on 8 April 1977 by Columbia Records. Produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover, it was the band's major label debut, their first album for the label, and their only album to feature drummer Simon Phillips, a studio musician who replaced original drummer Alan Moore for the recording sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bobby Jarzombek</span> American drummer

Bobby Jarzombek is an American musician of Polish and German ancestry who is currently the drummer for country music legend George Strait. Bobby also has been a drummer for Sebastian Bach, and progressive metal band Fates Warning. Guitarist Ron Jarzombek is his younger brother.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Sabo</span> American guitarist (born 1964)

David Michael Sabo, nicknamed The Snake, is an American musician best known as one of the guitarists of heavy metal band Skid Row.

<i>B-Side Ourselves</i> 1992 EP by Skid Row

B-Side Ourselves is a studio EP by American heavy metal band Skid Row, released on September 22, 1992. It consists of cover versions of songs originally recorded by artists who influenced Skid Row. As the title suggests, most of the tracks had previously featured as B-sides on the band's various singles — "Psycho Therapy" and "Delivering the Goods" appeared on the 1992 re-release of "Youth Gone Wild", "C'mon and Love Me" appeared on both "Slave to the Grind" and "In a Darkened Room", while "What You're Doing" appeared on "Wasted Time"; only the final track, a cover of "Little Wing", was previously unreleased. The EP charted at number 58 on the Billboard 200.

<i>War of Words</i> (Fight album) 1993 studio album by Fight

War of Words is the debut album by the American heavy metal band Fight, released on September 9, 1993, by Epic Records. This is the first release Rob Halford recorded after his departure from Judas Priest in 1992. He brought with him drummer Scott Travis from the band and recruited three new members. The music is a mixture between the heavy metal sound created by Judas Priest and a groove/thrash metal sound similar to that of Pantera. Halford is also credited with playing guitar but only recorded vocals for the album. Music videos were made for "Nailed to the Gun", "Immortal Sin" and "Little Crazy".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Living After Midnight</span> 1980 single by Judas Priest

"Living After Midnight" is a song by English heavy metal band Judas Priest. It was originally featured on their 1980 album British Steel, which was their first gold album in the United States selling more than 500,000 copies. The song speaks to the hedonistic, rebellious spirit of the late 1970s and early 1980s, and is among the band's most popular songs.

<i>Subhuman Beings on Tour</i> 1995 EP live by Skid Row

Subhuman Beings on Tour!! is a live EP by American heavy metal band Skid Row. The EP was released in Japan in 1995 and consists of live performances from the Subhuman Race tour in support of their most recent album Subhuman Race.

<i>Nostradamus</i> (album) 2008 studio album by Judas Priest

Nostradamus is the sixteenth studio album by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, focusing on the 16th-century writer Nostradamus. It is a double album and a concept album. It was originally intended to be released in late 2006 before being pushed back to a 2007 release, and was finally released on 16 June 2008 on Epic Records. It is the last Judas Priest studio album to feature the Painkiller-era lineup with guitarist and founding member K. K. Downing retiring in April 2011.

"Victim of Changes" is a song by English heavy metal band Judas Priest, featured on their 1976 studio album Sad Wings of Destiny. Adrien Begrand, writing for PopMatters, claimed the song changed the course of metal history. Vocalist Rob Halford's performance is considered one of his finest ever. The guitar work is noted as well; Bob Gendron praised the song's "landslide riffs" in the Chicago Tribune. The song has come to be regarded as one of the band's classics, and Martin Popoff listed it at No. 17 in his "Top 500 Heavy Metal Songs of All Time".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Satchel (musician)</span> American guitarist

Russell John Parrish, better known as Satchel, is an American musician. He is the lead guitarist for the comedic glam metal band Steel Panther.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richie Faulkner</span> British guitarist

Richard Ian Faulkner is an English guitarist best known as one of the lead guitarists for the heavy metal band Judas Priest since 2011, replacing original member K. K. Downing. He has also performed with Lauren Harris, Christopher Lee, Voodoo Six, Deeds, and Ace Mafia.

References

  1. Stephen Thomas Erlewine (December 7, 2010). "Judas Priest | Biography". AllMusic . Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  2. "Fight Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  3. Cherrybomb (December 13, 2017). "METAL GODS: ROB HALFORD OF JUDAS PRIEST FRONTS BLACK SABBATH IN 1992". Dangerous Minds.
  4. Invisible Oranges (May 5, 2008). "Rob Halford & Pantera - Light Comes Out of Black". Invisible Oranges.
  5. Carlson, Taylor (April 25, 2015). "B-Side Ourselves – The Sebastian Bach-era Skid Row Release that Time Forgot!". ZRockR.
  6. "Sebastian Bach Nearly Fronted Judas Priest". Vintage Heavy Metal. November 24, 2018.
  7. Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 162/3. ISBN   0-7535-0257-7.
  8. DAILY PRESS (January 7, 1994). "ROB HALFORD PICKS HIS FIGHT". Daily Press .
  9. MORNING CALL (January 15, 1994). "ROB HALFORD'S FIGHT IS NOW ON STAGE, NOT IN THE MEDIA". The Morning Call .
  10. Gill, J. Doug (April 15, 1994). "With Fight, Halford is adding social consciousness to heavy metal". The Baltimore Sun .
  11. "FIGHT'S LATEST DOESN'T MATCH DEBUT ALBUM". Hartford Courant . May 18, 1995.
  12. "rob halford vanessa warwick interview headbangers' ball 95". YouTube . January 28, 2010.
  13. "ROB HALFORD REUNITES WITH MEMBERS OF FIGHT". MTV. December 24, 1997. Archived from the original on July 17, 2023.
  14. Neumann, Carl (February 5, 2015). "Judas Priest: Back In Australia For Soundwave". scenestr.
  15. Witting, Ryan (August 25, 2019). "Rob Halford live at Alice Cooper's The Rock Teen Center in Phoenix, Arizona, USA Concert Review". sleazeroxx.com.
  16. "Fight | Awards". AllMusic . Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  17. Steffen Hung. "Swedish Charts Portal". Swedishcharts.com. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  18. "Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts". Musicline.de. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  19. 1 2 "Metal/Hard Rock Album Sales In The Us As Reported By Sound Scan". Blabbermouth.net. April 30, 2002. Retrieved November 6, 2015.