Telford, Shropshire based extreme Speed Metal band, CANCER's first gig was in Birmingham opening for BOMB DISNEYLAND. The group was formulated during 1988, convened at the Tontine public house in Ironbridge by singer / guitarist John Walker, bassist Ian Buchanan and Carl Stokes on drums. The initial demos, a two track deathfest dubbed 'No Fuckin' Cover', were recorded at the legendary Pits studio in Birmingham, owned by STARFIGHTERS vocalist Steve Burton. Notably, the songs, 'The Growth Has Begun' and 'Burning Casket (My Testimony)', were produced by Stevie Young, cousin of AC/DC guitarist Angus Young, and 'Big' Mick Hughes, METALLICA's live sound engineer.

A second demo session in 1989 led in turn to an unofficial live album, 'Bloodbath In The Acid', recorded at Wrexham Memorial Hall and pressed up on the Headache imprint. Having been granted a deal by the Vinyl Solution label, CANCER's debut album, 1990's 'To The Gory End' cut at Loco studios in Usk, took a mere four days to record. Fortunately the finished product was given extra sheen courtesy of a mix down at Morrisound Studios in Florida by Death Metal alchemist Scott Burns. During this final phase OBITUARY's John Tardy was drafted to supply backing vocals to the song 'Die Die'. The cover art, an unfortunate's head being sliced by a machete, still betrayed the band's brutally unsophisticated approach.

Fresh songs were worked up at Reel to Reel Studios in Telford with engineer Tony Higley in preparation for a second album. Erstwhile AGENT STEEL and OBITUARY guitarist JAMES MURPHY was enlisted to record the sophomore 'Death Shall Rise' and the platter was produced by noted Death Metal producer Scott Burns into the bargain. Amusingly, the album caused a great deal of controversy upon release in Europe when it was banned in Germany by the State body for censorship of works dangerous to the youth, on grounds that the album cover would incite youngsters to inflict violence upon each other. Restless Records handled the album for North America.

CANCER had recorded 'Death Shall Rise', released in April 1991, in Scott Burns' Florida home state, this fabled location giving opportunity for DEICIDE's Glen Benton to contribute vocals to lead track 'Hung, Drawn And Quartered'. UK gigs saw a headline run throughout May supported by UNLEASHED and DESECRATOR. The band chose to spend further working time in North America by playing the 1991 Milwaukee Metalfest and also supporting DEICIDE and OBITUARY. However, by December 1991 James Murphy had quit the band to form DISINCARNATE, later joining TESTAMENT and Danes KONKHRA.

1993 was another particularly busy year for the band, releasing third album 'The Sins Of Mankind', fashioned by Simon Efemy at The Windings in Wrexham, and performing a European tour with openers CEREBRAL FIX. A setback occurred when Carl Stokes was involved in an accident, his motorbike hitting a British Telecom van. Stokes suffered multiple injuries, necessitating the enlistment of MONOLITH's Nick Barker on a temporary basis for live work. Barker later made his name with CRADLE OF FILTH and DIMMU BORGIR. The group also to tour Britain and America with DEICIDE, two live tracks recorded at the Milwaukee Metalfest surfacing on the Restless compilation 'Live Death'.

The band, having enrolled new guitarist Barry Savage, stepped up a level upon signing to major label East West Records. This 1994 effort would be executed at Great Linford Studios in Milton Keynes with Simon Efemy at the helm once again, the finished tracks being mixed at PINK FLOYD's Britannia Row Studios. If longstanding fans found the caustic cover of DEEP PURPLE's 'Space Truckin' to much to stomach they consoled themselves with the fact that Carl Stokes had used a real human thigh bone for percussion on 'Temple Song'. Following the release of the new album, 'Black Faith' the quartet toured Britain with support act MESHUGGAH. Savage sessioned for CRADLE OF FILTH in 1996.

During 1997 Carl Stokes would also find himself involved with NOTHING BUT CONTEMPT. The short lived act assembled by vocalist Barney Greenaway in his period away from NAPALM DEATH. This act included Greenaway, Stokes, NAPALM DEATH guitarist Danny Herrera plus SACRIFICIAL ALTAR and ASATRU guitarist Rob Engvikson. NOTHING BUT CONTEMPT folded when Greenaway rejoined NAPALM DEATH. Stokes also filled in for Telford Hardcore mongers ASSERT in 2000. The drummer also busied himself with a new Metal project titled REMISSION with Walker.

Guitarist Barry Savage would join the high profile LOCKUP in early 2002 as touring guitarist. CANCER made a return during 2003 with a line-up comprising John Walker, Carl Stokes, ASATARU guitarist Rob Engvikson and bassist Adders. Reunion gigs would be backed by a new EP 'Corporation$', this outing including a cover of the CELTIC FROST classic 'Dethroned Emperor'. Following European tour dates the band parted ways with Rob Engvikson in September of 2004, soon enlisting Dave Leitch of PULVERISED as replacement.

CANCER's 2005 full-length album 'Spirit In Flames', recorded over a three-week period at Philia studios in Henley on Thames, emerged on Copro Records in June. However, in February 2006 Carl Stokes issued a statement "Due to the lack of commitment to the band from John Walker, CANCER is no more". The drummer also revealed plans for a new band billed HAIL OF FIRE, featuring ex-CANCER members guitarists Dave Leitch and Barry Savage, bassist Ian Buchanan and newcomer Rob Lucas on vocals.