A Virginia Beach trio formed in 1983 by guitarist Shawn Helsel, bassist and vocalist Paul Arnold and drummer Dave Stone. The group issued a two track demo 'Rapechase' a year later prior to appearing on New Renaissance Records' 'Speed Metal Hell II' compilation. Awarded with a two album deal by New Renaissance, AT WAR released their debut album, 'Ordered To Kill' in 1986. The album was released in Germany on the US Metal label and on Rock Brigade in Brazil.

The three-piece toured North America with AGNOSTIC FRONT in December 1986 following the release of 'Ordered To Kill' and opened up at L'Amours in Brooklyn, New York for SLAYER and POSSESSED. AT WAR's second album, 1987's 'Retaliatory Strike', was produced by Alex Perialas and ex-RAVEN drummer Rob Hunter. Brazilian editions on Rock Brigade featured different sleeve art. AT WAR recorded tracks for a third album during 1994 but this was shelved and the group splintered.

The group reunited during 2008 to perform concerts in the USA and Europe. The revitalised AT WAR signed with New York's Heavy Artillery Records for the release of 'Infidel', their first studio album in 20 years. These sessions were engineered by Alex Perialas at Pyramid Sound studios in Ithaca, New York.