Although founded in 1978 by bassist Greg May, the L.A.-based heavy metal band Tyrant didn't achieve any serious level of recognition until the surrounding metal scene gathered steam in the early 1980s, at which point the group joined dozens of hopefuls with an appearance in the famed Metal Massacre compilation (number 3 in their case). A contract with the series' parent label, Metal Blade, ensued, and Tyrant -- now fleshed out with Greg's brother Glen May on vocals, Rocky Rockwell on guitar, and Rob Roy on drums -- duly made their full-length debut via 1985's Legions of the Dead, featuring a spirited yet largely derivative style inspired by the likes of Judas Priest and Iron Maiden. And when a similarly unsuccessful follow-up (prophetically named Too Late to Pray) emerged a couple of years later, Tyrant were quickly dropped and not heard from again until the 1996 release of a third -- and final -- effort named King of Kings, which apparently hammered the last nail in the band's career coffin. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia