Progressive Rock band formed in late 1972 by COLOSSEUM members drummer Jon Hiseman and bassist Mark Clarke alongside renowned guitarist ALLAN HOLDSWORTH. Clarke had also spent a term in URIAH HEEP during 1972. Vocalist Paul Williams was previously with JOHN MAYALL'S BLUESBREAKERS, Aynsley Dunbar's BLUE WHALE and Blues Rockers JUICY LUCY. TEMPEST traversed Europe, including support shows to BLACK SABBATH, promoting the record before acting as opener to RORY GALLAGHER in North America.

On July 21st 1973 the group played the 'Summer Rock' festival in Frankfurt, Germany sharing the stage with GENTLE GIANT, CURVED AIR, HARDIN & YORK, BLACK SABBATH, HEAVY METAL KIDS and RORY GALLAGHER. Following the 1973 debut album Holdsworth decamped to SOFT MACHINE and former TIMEBOX and PATTO man Ollie Halsall took his position for an appearance at the Reading Festival in August 1973 and recording of the sophomore 'Living In Fear', released in 1974.

Hiseman resurrected COLOSSEUM as COLOSSEUM II. Clarke went on to URIAH HEEP, RAINBOW and MOUNTAIN. Halsall created BOXER and even became a member of spoof act THE RUTLES. Singer Paul Williams worked on solo material with ALLAN HOLDSWORTH and in 1984 fronted ENGLAND'S GLORY, the short-lived band assembled by BLACK SABBATH drummer BILL WARD.

After many years as live guitarist for KEVIN AYERS, Halsall relocated to Spain where he sessioned for numerous Spanish artists but was to die in 1992 of a heart attack connected to a heroin addiction. A solo album collection 'Caves' was issued in 1999.