Sacred Warrior

Sacred Warrior
Origin Chicago, Illinois
Genres Christian metal, heavy metal
Years active 1988–1994, 2000, 2008–present
Labels Intense
Website sacredwarrior.net
Members Rey Parra
Bruce Swift
Tony Velasquez
Steve Watkins
Joe Petit
Past members Rick Macias
John Johnson
Eli Prinsen

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]

Their first album, Rebellion, was released in 1988 and supported its release on a tour with Rez in 1989. Later that year, Master's Command was released, featuring guest vocals from Vengeance Rising frontman Roger Martinez. Their third release, Wicked Generation, was considered a partial concept album about a young person struggling with life seeking hope.[3] Their fourth and final album from the 1990s was Obsessions, a more straightforward melodic metal album. The band initially broke up in 1994[4]. The band performed at a reunion show in 2000[2] at the Cornerstone Festival which was recorded and released on CD the following year.

In 2008, the band reformed and began performing shows. Keyboardist Rick Macias died on February 9, 2009.[5] 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.[6]

Parra rejoined the band in 2016[7] and released the single "Slave" in advance of a full album.[8]

Discography

  • 1987: six-song demo/rehearsal tape
  • 1988: Rebellion (Intense Records)
  • 1989: Master's Command (Review: Cross Rhythms[9])
  • 1990: Wicked Generation (Review: Cross Rhythms,[10] CCM Magazine[11])
  • 1991: Obsessions (Review: Cross Rhythms[12])
  • 1993: Classics (Intense Records)
  • 2001: Live at Cornerstone 2001
  • 2001: Demo (Bottomline)
  • 2013: Waiting in Darkness

Members

Current

  • Bruce Swift - guitars, backing vocals (1988-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
  • Tony Velasquez - drums (1988-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
  • Steve Watkins - bass, backing vocals (1988-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
  • Joe Petit - keyboards, backing vocals (1991-1994, 2000, 2008–present)
  • Rey Parra - lead vocals (1988-1994, 2000, 2008-2012, 2016–present)

Former

  • Eli Prinsen - lead vocals (2012–2016)
  • Rick Macias - keyboards (1988-1989)
  • John Johnson - guitars (1989-1990)

References

  1. 1 2 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.
  2. 1 2 "Hard News". HM Magazine (86): 23. November–December 2000.
  3. ↑ Waters, Scott. "Sacred Warrior". No Life Til Metal. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  4. ↑ "About Sacred Warrior". Official Sacred Warrior Site.
  5. ↑ "Sacred Warrior keyboardist dies". www.heartofmetal.net. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Official Website of Sacred Warrior". www.sacredwarrior.net. Retrieved January 7, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Sacred Warrior reunite with singer Rey Parra". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
  8. ↑ Oliver (March 11, 2016). "Sacred Warrior release lyric video for "Slave" with proceeds going to a shelter". Sleaze Roxx. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  9. ↑ Smith, Alan (July 1990). "Sacred Warrior - Master's Command". Cross Rhythms.
  10. ↑ Cummings, Tony (June 1991). "Sacred Warrior - Wicked Generation". Cross Rhythms (6).
  11. ↑ Van Pelt, Doug (November 1990). "Reviews / Wicked Generation". CCM Magazine. 13 (5): 57.
  12. ↑ 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.

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