Fight to Survive

Fight to Survive is the debut album by White Lion, formed in New York in 1983, tying the accessibility of melodic hard rock to Vito Bratta’s distinctive guitar. Recorded at Hotline Studios in Frankfurt in 1984 and produced by Peter Hauke, it took a winding path: signed to Elektra, which shelved it, it was issued in the US by Philadelphia’s Grand Slamm and in Japan by Victor. With Mike Tramp (vocals), Vito Bratta (guitar), James LoMenzo (bass) and Greg D’Angelo (drums), every song is written by Tramp and Bratta. Mike Tramp’s voice is expansive, conveying the ache and defiance in the songs directly. The drama of “Broken Heart” (later re-recorded for Mane Attraction), the Native American portrait “Cherokee,” the anti-war “El Salvador” and the Norse-myth “The Road to Valhalla” already hold elements that point toward the band to come. Rough edges and all, it is a record for knowing White Lion’s starting point.