Sins Of The Warrior

Forming in 1979, Soldier first pummeled their way into Metal consciousness when their demo Silver Screen Teaser hit the influential Sounds Heavy Metal Chart. Signing to Heavy Metal Records in 1980 Storm of Steel appeared on the first, pivotal Heavy Metal Heroes album, an album that helped kick start the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. Soldier's first single proper was 1980's 'Sheralee', also a big success in NWOBHM circles reaching number 3 in Italy and receiving loads of Radio 1 support. Heavy gigging led to much interest from major labels but unstable line-ups and a shift towards a more melodic style meant the band split disillusioned in 1983. Reforming in 2002 with original members Ian Dick (guitar) and Garry Phillips (vocals), second line-up veteran Steve Barlow (bass) and Alex Smith on drums, Soldier finally recorded the debut album that never happened. The dark riffs and powerhouse vocals remain a feature and the depth of the album's 11 tracks prove that Soldier were the great 'lost' band of the era. Heavy Metal. 2005.