Editing Nuclear Assault (section)

===Early career (1984–1985)===
After the release of [[Anthrax (American band)|Anthrax]]'s debut album ''[[Fistful of Metal]]'', bassist [[Dan Lilker]], a founding member of the group, was fired by the band. He decided to pursue a more aggressive style of music and formed Nuclear Assault with guitarist/vocalist [[John Connelly (musician)|John Connelly]],<ref name="Allmusic">{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/p5046|title=Nuclear Assault > Biography|last=Rivadavia|first=Eduardo|author2=Franck, John|work=[[Allmusic]]|publisher=[[Macrovision]]|access-date=July 5, 2009|archive-date=July 9, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709173836/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/nuclear-assault-mn0000461391|url-status=live}}</ref> who had been part of an early version of Anthrax.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}} They were joined by guitarist Mike Bogush and drummer Scott Duboys. They then recorded the first of two [[Demo (music)|demos]], which included the songs "Stranded in Hell", "The Plague", and "Hang the Pope".<ref>{{Citation |title=Nuclear Assault - Game Over |date=1986 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/9093136-Nuclear-Assault-Game-Over |access-date=2023-10-20 |language=en}}</ref>

The group's first live performance was at the Union Jack in [[South River, New Jersey]], in late 1984.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Bogush was later replaced by Anthony Bramante.<ref name="Allmusic" /> Bramante's first live performance with the group was at [[L'Amour (venue)|L'Amour]] in [[Brooklyn]], New York, in April 1985.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Shortly after the performance, Duboys left the band and was replaced by drummer Glenn Evans formerly of New Jersey–based band [[T.T. Quick]].<ref name="Allmusic" />