Slander was formed in 1990, following a last minute request from the Blackpool Gazette to make up the numbers for a local Rock Battle, in Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom. Andy Saxon-Lamb and Steve Slater were given 24 hours notice to recruit musicians and rehearse their set. After rehearsing through most of the previous night, they hammered out a 30 minute set to an unsuspecting crowd. From the positive audience reaction it was clear that their brand of heavy metal was a winning formula. Andy and Steve then recruited musicians with similar ideas to themselves. First to join them was Andy Gregson on rhythm guitar, who played with them at the rock battle gig. Then Andy “Eddie” Edwards on the drums and finally Joe Tyerman, joined following a number of unsuccessful attempts at recruiting a suitable bass player. The band then started working on new material and began to play gigs all over northwest England. During the first 6 months of the band being together, they recorded their first demo tape Initial Penetration, which sold all 300 copies in a matter of months and was well received not only in the UK, but also in Europe and the USA. In late 1990 Slander’s 'Fighting Talk' appeared on Radio 1’s Friday Rock Show’s ’ Rock Wars’. The feature showcased the talents of unsigned bands and was hosted by the late Tommy Vance. Unfortunately, they were runners up, but this only spurred the band on to return to the studio for 2 more sessions. Slander is a 5 piece Heavy Metal band, whose style has been described as a combination of Power Metal and New Wave of British Heavy Metal.