1984 UNITED Kingdoms
Guitarist Ross ‘The Boss’ Friedman and bassist Joey DeMaio met in 1980, at a Black Sabbath show at Newcastle City Hall. They were both native New Yorkers, both enthralled by tales of epic fantasy, and both invigorated by the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal at the height of its powers. They resolved to create the ultimate heavy metal band.
“We wanted to look like something never before seen in heavy metal,” Ross affirms, audibly beaming down the line from the States. “We wanted to be wilder than just denim and leather. What would be wilder? Animal fur!”
Debuting with 1982’s , followed by 1983’s , the loincloth-clad quartet’s first years were marred by label hassles and indifference in.
