At War is a 3 piece thrash band that released 2 albums back in the 80’s and then took a break, but never broke up mind you. They made a comeback, with all 3 original members and I got together and fired off some questions via email to bass player/singer Paul Arnold who I was pen pals back in the day and here is what he said:
So here we are in 2025. When you formed the band in the early 80s, did you think that in a million years, the band would still be around today?
Paul: I had no expectations of anything but what was happening then. I am still amazed that people still are into it and want to hear us play live.
Now you released a 2 song demo in 1985 called “Eat Lead”, which was a very popular demo back then. What are some of your memories of these days?
Paul: My memories are of the fanzine days and how I felt strongly that if these other bands could do it we could as well. So we did. I also remember how wide open the future felt and how we all had an “anything is possible” attitude.
Now I am sure you sent the demo out to the underground fanzines and college radio stations that were around at the time. I imagine the response was great.
Paul: Yes I remember sending out so many promo packs to anyone I thought would be even remotely interested. This was when your only options were to hand deliver or mail these things to the right people. (the golden oldie days, I remember them well-Chris)
What was it like being a thrash/speed band from Virginia at the time? Did you get to play out live much or even out-of-town shows? How would you rate yourself as a live band back then and even today?
Paul: Well we didn’t call it “thrash” back then. We considered what we did as “speed metal”. The thrash moniker was thrust on us decades later. I have to say as a live bad back then we were solid as hell and we brought it every time we played. The same is true today.
How did you end up on New Renaissance Records? Were any other labels interested in the band? At the time, did they offer you a fair deal?
Paul: As a result of sending out those promo packs we began to receive inquiries and offers from several labels, New Renaissance and Combat being the ones we focused on. Combat’s offer was tentative and complicated compared to NR’s. We talked to Ann and liked her vision. A new Metal label and we were a new band. So we went with them. Fair deal? No one got a fair deal then. You just did your best to navigate the details and choose your poison.
In 1986, you released your debut release called “Ordered to Kill”. How quickly, besides the 2 demo tunes and the Motorhead cover, did the other tunes come together? Did the label give you any money to record or was this all out of your pocket? Oh, by the way, I interviewed you guys for Metal Core # 2 back then in 1986 too ha ha.
Paul: When we made the deal with NR we only had the two tunes on the “Eat Lead” demo, so we went to town writing so we could get in the studio to be able to deliver the recordings to get the album released. We were reimbursed a minimal amount of what the recording costs and from that point on we were paid a tiny royalty.
Did this release help you out a lot in regards to your popularity? Was mail now pouring in? Were you able to do more out-of-state shows? Did you ever play Lamours in Brooklyn, NY?
Paul: It did. It gave us street cred in the underground metal world and opened up doors to venues since we were now a signed band. We started getting out lots of fan mail along with requests for interviews and offers to play. Yes, we were lucky enough to do a small East Coast tour in 86 or so along with Possessed and played at Lamour’s Brooklyn where after the show Slayer showed up while they were on a promo tour for Rein in Blood and played a few songs using our equipment. It was an incredible show. (I thought you did, which was why I asked and I was at that show. What an incredible night indeed- Chris)
Before I go any further, how did you come up with your name and were any other names floated around? How about your logo?
Paul: We were going through so many names at the time we landed on AT WAR as a result of a skipping Venom record where it said over and over “AT WAR”, “AT WAR”, “AT WAR”, so we went with it. Shawn gets credit for the logo. I took what he came up with to a professional graphics guy and had him just clean it up a bit.
Now in 1988, when thrash was peaking in the underground, your 2nd release came out called “Retaliatory Strike” also on NRR. Did you think this was a big step up from your debut? How were the reviews back then for this release?
Paul: I was so stoked to go to Pyramid in NY and work with legendary producer Alex Perialas. We had nothing but mad respect for him. He took the time to help us refine our sound and we were all so stoked with the results. The production was such a step up from OTK. All the reviews I remember were positive and RS was well received. We also became great friends with Alex even to this day.
Was there ever any thought of relocating the band to like NY, NJ, etc?
Paul: We did talk about it, but felt strongly that as long as we could be a part of those markets by playing or getting a buzz about the band there. It would be unnecessary to relocate. In retrospect, we would have benefitted from being in one of those markets.
So tell me about your 2009 release called “Infidel” on Heavy Artillery Records.
Paul: We started playing again in 2006 and had a lot of unfinished material from the early 90’s that we never recorded. Some of it we liked and some of it we didn’t so we took a lot of the songs and dissected them. Used the riffs and parts that we liked and expanded on that and these songs turned into “Infidel”. I know we wanted to go back with Alexis because we love the guy and he did such a great job so we decided to go back there and record it instead of someone’s house who has pro tools. “Heavy Artillery” approached us about a licensing deal so we decided to do that to get a larger reach. The album came out great. I love the recording and the songs are really powerful.
So after taking such a long break, you were back and started playing live again. The feeling must have been incredible and with the 3 original members no less.
Paul: It was incredible. We fell right back into it. The years of not playing matured us and we were even heavier than we had been before. It was amazing to be back on stage with the guys who started it when we started the band many years ago.
So are all your releases in print to your knowledge? If they aren’t are you working on getting them back in print?
Paul: To my knowledge, everything is in print in some form or another. We have at least at once ourselves and continue to do so and show us High Roller Records out of Germany.
Paul: To my knowledge, everything is in print in one form or another. High Roller Records out of Germany has all 3 of our releases for sale:
Please plus any social media sites and merchandise you have for sale.
Paul: Our website is
This is where you will find all our merchandise and keep up to date with what we are doing and any tours we have lined up as well.
Paul horns up for doing this interview and glad to see you and the band are still kicking ass after all these years. Any last words to wrap this up?
Paul: Thanks to everyone who has given us support over the years. It means everything and is exactly why we do this. Ray, he On.
