Initial Attack

#airstrike #usmetal #lostrealmrecords

From the heart of the forgotten American Midwest comes one of the rarest and most forgotten heavy metal releases of the ‘80s — Airstrike’s Initial Attack.

Originally pressed in just 100 vinyl copies and 300 cassettes back in 1986, this ultra-limited release has become a true holy grail for collectors of obscure U.S. Metal, with original copies fetching up to $400 on the secondhand markets.

Formed in Lincoln, Nebraska, Airstrike quickly carved a name for themselves with their explosive live shows and a high-voltage sound that blended razor-sharp riffs, melodic hooks, and anthemic choruses — drawing comparisons to the likes of early DOKKEN, QUIET RIOT, and KEEL. Their only full-length album, Initial Attack, captures the pure essence of American 80s metal, combining hair metal energy with hard rock swagger and a uniquely Midwestern edge.

Airstrike toured the Midwest for about 3 years. Unfortunately, their career ended in Cincinnati, Ohio, after Gregg Lee’s car accident sidelined the band for nine months. During this hiatus, Nick St. Nicholas of STEPPENWOLF offered Lee a role in his project The Wolf, which Lee declined due to injuries. St. Nicholas then recruited other Airstrike members, effectively dissolving the band.

These connections underline the pedigree of a band that may have been overlooked in their time, but whose music deserves a second life today.

Whether you’re discovering Initial Attack for the first time or revisiting a long-lost favorite, this is your chance to own a piece of heavy metal history — finally restored and made available to the world once again. Includes audio fully remastered from the best available sources, original artwork and rare band photos.

🔗 Pre-order now at: www.lostrealmrecords.com