They are also notable for featuring vocalist Jason McMaster, who left Watchtower after the release of Energetic Disassembly to form Dangerous Toys, and was replaced by Alan Tecchio, who appeared on Control and Resistance and the band's 2016 EP Concepts of Math: Book One.
[1][2] The band has also been cited as having influenced or inspired many notable metal acts, including Testament, Dream Theater, Death, Annihilator, Coroner, Atheist, Pestilence, Cynic, Symphony X, Devin Townsend, Toxik, Sieges Even and Spiral Architect.
The quartet made its recording debut in 1983 with an early version of the song "Meltdown", which was included on the Cottage Cheese from the Lips of Death – A Texas Hardcore Compilation LP.
He formed the short-lived Khymera with Juggernaut drummer Bobby Jarzombek and former Karion bassist Pete Perez before joining vocalist Don Dokken for his 1990 solo album Up from the Ashes.
McMaster eventually exited in 1988 after getting signed to a major label deal with his side project Onyxx, later renamed Dangerous Toys, whose self-titled debut album on CBS scored the MTV hits "Teas'n, Pleas'n" and "Scared" and reached near gold status.
[12][13][14] In support of the album, the band opened for Coroner in Europe on their No More Color tour,[15] and also played with Dark Angel,[16] Loudblast,[15] Tankard,[15] Prong,[17] Fates Warning,[18] Mordred,[18] and Whiplash.
[19] After first and only European tour (opening for Noise Records labelmates Coroner) during the spring of 1990,[15] Watchtower continued to promote Control and Resistance with a few East Coast shows but Tecchio left soon thereafter.
The remaining members of the band spent more than two years searching for a new vocalist,[20] which proved to be a difficult task, although several candidates – including Scott Jeffries (Confessor) – were at least considered.
Adding to the band's woes, Jarzombek developed severe hand problems which required multiple surgeries, effectively putting Watchtower on ice indefinitely and with it a proposed third album, which was to be titled Mathematics.
Bassist Doug Keyser and drummer Rick Colaluca joined colorful local rock/funk/rap outfit Retarted Elf who released the album Trick Quigger on Pony Canyon in Japan.
[28] After years of speculation regarding the current status of Watchtower, drummer Rick Colaluca confirmed in a statement on Facebook in July 2020 that the band had been on an indefinite hiatus, and stated it was "doubtful that [they would] ever reform, but not out of the question."
[1][30] After more than two months of teasing a potential reunion,[31] original singer Jason McMaster confirmed in a May 2023 interview on The Decibel Geek podcast that he would be rejoining Watchtower after a thirteen-year absence, and added that the band had been rehearsing for a series of live dates for 2024, including festival appearances.