In 1988, "Forward Into War" was released on Herbert Egolt's Cologne-based Rock-O-Rama Records label. The band originally started as a four-piece in 1985, but found their ideal line-up on their debut album with Tom (drums), Andy (guitar) and Vernon (bass, vocals).

Vengeance played a heavy metal influenced sound on the "Forward Into War" album, with a brilliant brutal voice and patriotic to nationalistic lyrics. The three British musicians created their own unmistakable style, which is still unparalleled today and which, if you like, can well be called Oi!Core when it didn't even exist yet. All titles are performed hard to brutal (with the exception of "Wake Up England") and are on a playfully high level. Unfortunately singer Vernon, who by the way was also responsible for the cover design (in the truest sense of the word), passed away in 2008. As it was said, due to an incorrectly dosed medication. Always the same: Only the best die young!