Uploaded July 2012 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
L.A.'s TYRANT was formed by bassist Greg May in Pasadena, California.
In 1978, Greg formed a cover band in high school, which included Richard Fuentes on vocals, Tony Ramirez, Gary Crisp, Bill Stremmel on guitars, and Phil Hilick on drums.
By 1980, Greg 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, ironically featured Tim Gaines of Stryper. Rocky was one of the first guitar players 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, a two time high school All-American Football defensive end, to replace their previous singer, Doug Anderson, on lead vocal and front man requirements. "Doug also played guitar and looked like Peter Frampton." Greg explained. "But when I brought Glen in, it just clicked."
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 '97).
Keyboard player and limo driver, Paris Lane, contributed to "Legions of the Dead", previously of Hollywood rock band, London.
After two shows in Hollywood, California, Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records contacted Greg. 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.
L.A.'s TYRANT was formed by bassist Greg May in Pasadena, California.
In 1978, Greg formed a cover band in high school, which included Richard Fuentes on vocals, Tony Ramirez, Gary Crisp, Bill Stremmel on guitars, and Phil Hilick on drums.
By 1980, Greg 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, ironically featured Tim Gaines of Stryper. Rocky was one of the first guitar players 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, a two time high school All-American Football defensive end, to replace their previous singer, Doug Anderson, on lead vocal and front man requirements. "Doug also played guitar and looked like Peter Frampton." Greg explained. "But when I brought Glen in, it just clicked."
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 '97).
Keyboard player and limo driver, Paris Lane, contributed to "Legions of the Dead", previously of Hollywood rock band, London.
After two shows in Hollywood, California, Brian Slagel of Metal Blade Records contacted Greg. 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.
