Following the demise of Paul Di'Anno's first post Maiden outfit Di'Anno, matters were ultimately bound to become more metal. While Di'Anno was a fine band, as their 1984 album for FM Revolver and a series of great live shows could testify, it was obviously the heavier end of his music that the fans wanted from the man rather then the more L.A. based style of his then current act. Heavy was what they got with the formation of Battlezone, which proved to be a natural progression from the classic NWOBHM sound that Iron Maiden helped perfect, more melodic but no less explosive. Paul had initally formed the band Strike while still in America, with drummer Bob Falck and guitarist John Hurley already on board. With his return to the UK though, the name changed to Paul Di'Anno's Battlezone. Along with new bassist Pete West and ex-Tokyo Blade guitarist John Wiggins they recorded the band's excellent debut album Fighting Back. An ambitious release, it was obvious to all that Paul and Battlezone had something to prove. With tracks like the atmospheric and pounding "Welcome To The Battlezone" and the epic "The Land God Gave To Cain", they undoubtedly succeeded.
