Sir Lord Baltimore emerged as a pioneering force in the heavy metal genre, with their powerful blend of hard rock and heavy psychedelic influences helping to forge the sound that would captivate countless headbangers in the ensuing decades. The group was formed in Brooklyn, New York, in 1968 by drummer and vocalist John Garner, guitarist Louis Dambra, and bassist Gary Justin. They are often credited as one of the first bands to be described as "heavy metal," with music critic Mike Saunders famously using the term in a review of their debut album.

Their initial album, "Kingdom Come," released in 1970, was a hard-hitting assault that attracted a cult following, characterized by its raw energy and gritty sound. However, it was their self-titled sophomore album "Sir Lord Baltimore," released in 1971, that solidified their place in rock history with its relentless intensity and groundbreaking musicianship. After a long hiatus and the fading of the original heavy metal wave they helped create, Sir Lord Baltimore resurfaced with "III Raw" in 2006, which sought to recapture the essence of their early work and reintroduce their sound to a new generation. Despite never achieving the commercial success of some of their contemporaries, Sir Lord Baltimore's contribution to the evolution of heavy metal has been increasingly recognized by enthusiasts and critics alike.