Tyrant (USA-CA) - Biography
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1978-
Biography
In 1978, Greg formed a cover band in with friends from high school. By 1980, he had been asked to play with such groups as Metallica, W.A.S.P., Armored Saint, and Warlord. Guitarist Rocky Rockwell's previous band, Visions, featured Tim Gaines of Stryper. Rocky was one of the first guitar players at that time to have an endorsement with Charvel Guitars other than Eddie Van Halen. One-time fill-in guitarist included Anthony Romero, formerly of Blood Lust.
In 1982, the two recruited Greg's brother, Glen May, to replace previous singer/rhythm guitarist, Doug Anderson.
Drummer, Rob Roy, rounded out the group, who appeared on Metal Massacre III ('83) and Legions of the Dead ('85). Previous drummers have included G. Stanley Burtis (Too Late To Pray '88) and Tom Meadows (King of Kings '96).
Keyboard player and limo driver, Paris Lane, previously of Hollywood rock band, London, contributed to and also appeared on the album cover for Legions of the Dead.
After two shows in Hollywood, California, Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records contacted the band. The late-1983 release of "Battle of Armageddon", from the Metal Blade Records album "Metal Massacre III", was the result. After the release, the label was flooded with mail from all over the world demanding more vinyl from TYRANT. This lead to Metal Blade Records signing TYRANT to an international recording contract.
The group returned to the studio with "Armageddon" producer, Bill Metoyer, to record TYRANT's debut LP, "Legions of the Dead", which was completed and released in 1985. The LP sold well and hit Kerrang Magazine's (Europe's biggest rock publication) Top 10 Import Chart for two months, therewith Def Leppard and Heart. TYRANT's single, "Listen to the Preacher," was featured on the "Best of Metal Blade, Volume 1" double LP in 1986. The LP included, among others, Slayer, Trouble, VoiVod, Metal Church, and Celtic Frost.
In 1988, TYRANT again enlisted the services of producer Bill Metoyer to record and release "Too Late to Pray". Again, TYRANT's LP attracted praise from both fans and magazines around the world. The band had been offered opening slots for groups such as Slayer, Savatage, and Mercyful Fate.
In 1994, Metal Massacre III was re-released on C.D. worldwide by Metal Blade Records.
In 1996, German record label, Art of Music, brought Greg May to Germany for a promo tour. Art of Music also put TYRANT back into the studio with long-time producer Bill Metoyer for the making of "King of Kings," released in 1996. In keeping with tradition, "King of Kings" gained international praise from fans and press alike.
In 1997, TYRANT signed with Dwell Records to record Motorhead, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Dio, Scorpions, Judas Priest, and Saxon tribute CD's that were released worldwide in '98-'99.
In 2009, Tyrant returned with all original members for a reunion show to co-headline the Keep It True XII Festival in Lauda-Konigshofen Germany.
In 2010, long time friend and hard hitting drummer, Ronnie Wallace, debuted with the band, headlining their first shows on the East Coast of the U.S. in New York City, and the Defenders of the Old Festival in Baltimore, Maryland. as well as the Throwback Metal Festival in California.
In 2016, selected lyrics by Tyrant were featured as the lyrical character, the Knight of Darkness, in S.G. Smith's book "Sword of Aeteurnia, Book 1, The White Ship".
Tyrant headlined Halloween Fest in San Bernardino, California in October 2016, the 3-day NYDM Milwaukee Spring Bash in Wisconsin in April 2017, and the 2-day Up the Hammers Festival in Athens, Greece on May 26-27, 2017.
NEW ERA
A new era began for Tyrant in October, 2017 with the addition of Robert Lowe as lead vocalist, formerly of Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus. Robert first appeared with Tyrant headlining the Frost & Fire Festival at the Majestic Ventura Theatre in Ventura, California.
Currently, Tyrant is in the studio with long time producer/engineer Bill Metoyer, working on their fourth studio album to be released in 2019 on SKR Records, appropriately entitled Hereafter.
Source: Facebook
In 1982, the two recruited Greg's brother, Glen May, to replace previous singer/rhythm guitarist, Doug Anderson.
Drummer, Rob Roy, rounded out the group, who appeared on Metal Massacre III ('83) and Legions of the Dead ('85). Previous drummers have included G. Stanley Burtis (Too Late To Pray '88) and Tom Meadows (King of Kings '96).
Keyboard player and limo driver, Paris Lane, previously of Hollywood rock band, London, contributed to and also appeared on the album cover for Legions of the Dead.
After two shows in Hollywood, California, Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records contacted the band. The late-1983 release of "Battle of Armageddon", from the Metal Blade Records album "Metal Massacre III", was the result. After the release, the label was flooded with mail from all over the world demanding more vinyl from TYRANT. This lead to Metal Blade Records signing TYRANT to an international recording contract.
The group returned to the studio with "Armageddon" producer, Bill Metoyer, to record TYRANT's debut LP, "Legions of the Dead", which was completed and released in 1985. The LP sold well and hit Kerrang Magazine's (Europe's biggest rock publication) Top 10 Import Chart for two months, therewith Def Leppard and Heart. TYRANT's single, "Listen to the Preacher," was featured on the "Best of Metal Blade, Volume 1" double LP in 1986. The LP included, among others, Slayer, Trouble, VoiVod, Metal Church, and Celtic Frost.
In 1988, TYRANT again enlisted the services of producer Bill Metoyer to record and release "Too Late to Pray". Again, TYRANT's LP attracted praise from both fans and magazines around the world. The band had been offered opening slots for groups such as Slayer, Savatage, and Mercyful Fate.
In 1994, Metal Massacre III was re-released on C.D. worldwide by Metal Blade Records.
In 1996, German record label, Art of Music, brought Greg May to Germany for a promo tour. Art of Music also put TYRANT back into the studio with long-time producer Bill Metoyer for the making of "King of Kings," released in 1996. In keeping with tradition, "King of Kings" gained international praise from fans and press alike.
In 1997, TYRANT signed with Dwell Records to record Motorhead, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, Dio, Scorpions, Judas Priest, and Saxon tribute CD's that were released worldwide in '98-'99.
In 2009, Tyrant returned with all original members for a reunion show to co-headline the Keep It True XII Festival in Lauda-Konigshofen Germany.
In 2010, long time friend and hard hitting drummer, Ronnie Wallace, debuted with the band, headlining their first shows on the East Coast of the U.S. in New York City, and the Defenders of the Old Festival in Baltimore, Maryland. as well as the Throwback Metal Festival in California.
In 2016, selected lyrics by Tyrant were featured as the lyrical character, the Knight of Darkness, in S.G. Smith's book "Sword of Aeteurnia, Book 1, The White Ship".
Tyrant headlined Halloween Fest in San Bernardino, California in October 2016, the 3-day NYDM Milwaukee Spring Bash in Wisconsin in April 2017, and the 2-day Up the Hammers Festival in Athens, Greece on May 26-27, 2017.
NEW ERA
A new era began for Tyrant in October, 2017 with the addition of Robert Lowe as lead vocalist, formerly of Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus. Robert first appeared with Tyrant headlining the Frost & Fire Festival at the Majestic Ventura Theatre in Ventura, California.
Currently, Tyrant is in the studio with long time producer/engineer Bill Metoyer, working on their fourth studio album to be released in 2019 on SKR Records, appropriately entitled Hereafter.
Source: Facebook