[2] The band consisted of Dave King (vocals), Brian Smith (bass), Steve Hardy (guitar), and Ian Thompson (drums).
The company requested some concept ideas for the cover artwork, so the band asked a friend and local artist Arthur Ball if he could come up with suggestions.
However, when Roadrunner received the proof artwork for approval, they went ahead and pressed 2000 units for a worldwide release without the band's consent.
[citation needed] A short time after finishing the recordings of the album Burn This Town at Guardian studios County Durham, Ian Thompson was badly injured with a skull fracture when attacked by someone with an iron bar.
During this time, the band's momentum was still growing as they were signed by Roadrunner Records and contracted to complete a second album by the end of the year.
However, when Power from the Universe was released on both the Roadrunner and Music for Nations labels, the band suddenly found themselves garnering unexpected fame.
Battleaxe continued on with the same lineup to complete a BBC Radio One Session on the Tommy Vance Friday Rock show.
They were included in a nationwide tour supporting Saxon, and invited to a Leeds Queens Hall Festival with Twisted Sister, Girlschool, Anvil, Spyder and Plus.
On the eve of a major appearance at Hammersmith Odeon London in support of Saxon on their Crusader tour, some A&R staff from Atlantic Records were showing interest.
John left the band and there was a rotating door of musicians until 1987 when they recruited Jason Holt on guitar and Stew Curtan on drums (after Ian McCormack retired).
Metallica, who had recently appearing on the metal scene, wanted to tour the UK and Europe with Battleaxe but changed their minds because of politics.
From 1995-1998,[clarification needed] the band hired another guitarist for a short while and did a one-off show to a small audience at Klenal Hall Biker's Festival.
joined Battleaxe, replacing Kinson on drums, in May 2014, prior to their debut show at Bloodstock Open Air Festival.