Sacred Warrior
| Sacred Warrior | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois |
| Genres | Christian metal, heavy metal |
| Years active | 1988–1994, 2000, 2008–present |
| Labels | Intense |
| Website |
sacredwarrior |
| Members |
Eli Prinsen Bruce Swift Tony Velasquez Steve Watkins Joe Petit |
| Past members |
Rick Macias John Johnson Rey Parra |
Sacred Warrior is a Christian heavy metal band formed in 1988 and based in Chicago, Illinois. Their music is often compared to that of Queensrÿche or Iron Maiden.
Background
The band was formed out of a general market metal band known as Nomad,[1] which formed in 1985.[2] Subsequent to the conversion of guitarist Bruce Swift to Christianity, he led fellow band members Tony Velasquez and Rey Parra. He also converted Rick Macias, who had been a bouncer at a nightclub.[1]
Of all their albums, their first release, Rebellion, is considered to be their best.[1] Master's Command features Vengeance Rising frontman Roger Martinez in duet with Rey Parra. They announced a reunion show in 2000[2] at the Cornerstone Festival which was recorded and released on CD the following year.
On February 9, 2009, the band announced the death of Rick Macias.
On April 23, 2012, lead vocalist Rey Parra announced he has left the band due to time constraints and distance issues. He lives in Florida, while the rest of the band is from the Chicago, Illinois area. The band is currently writing and recording new music at Gathering Storm Media in Aurora, IL.[3]
In 2016, the band released "Slave" in advance of their album due to be released in late 2016.[4]
Discography
- 1987: six-song demo/rehearsal tape
- 1988: Rebellion (Intense Records)
- 1989: Master's Command (Review: Cross Rhythms[5])
- 1990: Wicked Generation (Review: Cross Rhythms,[6] CCM Magazine[7])
- 1991: Obsessions (Review: Cross Rhythms[8])
- 1993: Classics (Intense Records)
- 2001: Live at Cornerstone 2001
- 2001: Demo (Bottomline)
- 2013: Waiting in Darkness
Members
Current
- Rey Parra - vocals (1988-1994, 2000, 2008-2012, 2016–present)
- Bruce Swift - guitar/vocals (1988-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
- Tony Velasquez - drums (1988-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
- Steve Watkins - bass/vocals (1988-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
- Joe Petit - keyboards/vocals (1991-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
Former
- Eli Prinsen - lead vocals (2012–2016)
- Rick Macias - keyboards (1988-1989)
- John Johnson - guitar (1989-1990)
References
- 1 2 3 Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Sacred Warrior". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. p. 786. ISBN 1-56563-679-1.
- 1 2 "Hard News". HM Magazine (86): 23. November–December 2000.
- ↑ "Official Website of Sacred Warrior". www.sacredwarrior.net. Retrieved 2016-01-07.
- ↑ Oliver (March 11, 2016). "Sacred Warrior release lyric video for "Slave" with proceeds going to a shelter". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
- ↑ Smith, Alan (July 1990). "Sacred Warrior - Master's Command". Cross Rhythms.
- ↑ Cummings, Tony (June 1991). "Sacred Warrior - Wicked Generation". Cross Rhythms (6).
- ↑ Van Pelt, Doug (November 1990). "Reviews / Wicked Generation". CCM Magazine. 13 (5): 57.
- ↑ Cummings, Tony (February 1992). "Sacred Warrior - Obsessions". Cross Rhythms (10).
- Hale, Mark (1993). "2481 Sacred Warrior". Headbangers (First edition, second printing ed.). Ann Arbor, Michigan: Popular Culture, Ink. p. 299. ISBN 1-56075-029-4.
- Canfield, Dave (1989). "Interviews / Sacred Warrior". Cornerstone. 18 (91): 31–32. ISSN 0275-2743.
External links
Profiles: