STEEL WARRIOR -- VISIONS FROM THE MISTLANDS

Steel Warrior -- Power Metal From Brazil

THIS PAGE IS STILL BEING DESTRUCTED.
THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE!

Huge thanks to André Fabian, the Warrior himself and a really nice guy, for providing the pictures and information found here, for hooking me up with the demo tape and for generally helping me get this page together. And thanks to Atsushi Komoike for telling me about this great band in the first place. Atsushi and I were talking about cool Japanese metal bands when he suggested that I check out Steel Warrior....and I'm really glad that he did! The metal underground relies heavily on word of mouth to spread the news about new bands, so here I am telling you to check out Steel Warrior for some great epic power metal from Brazil.

Culver Yu
Drums

Anderson Xavier
Bass

André Fabian
Guitars/Vocals

Boon Yu
Guitars

Band History Steel Warrior was formed in the summer of 1996 by André Fabian (guitar/vocals), Culver Yu (drums) and Anderson Xavier (bass). These three friends wanted to create music in the mold of European heavyweights like Gamma Ray and Running Wild, music that would incorporate the melodies, epic passages and classical influences of true heavy metal without bowing to trends or shifts in musical taste. The addition of Robert Nietsche on guitar completed the band's initial line-up.

The band immediately began to compose songs that would express the common musical vision of the members. Surprisingly enough, the first composition was a ballad called "Wind of Sorrow." "Rasalom" followed, based lyrically on the book The Keep and musically on the European style of `80s metal. Other compositions included the band’s namesake tune, "Steel Warrior," as well as "Blind Faith" and "Crossing the Mist."

Armed with a solid repertoire of tunes, Steel Warrior performed its debut live gig in October 1996 at the "1st Heavy Metal Convention" in Itajaí. The band was well received by the crowd and soon played other successful shows in the local scene.

Encouraged, the band recorded their only demo tape, featuring "Rasalom" and "Steel Warrior" plus a live version of "Crossing the Mist." The demo received high praise from metal `zines such as Rock Brigade, Steel Conjuring, and Singing Swords, and the band began to get mail from England, Portugal, Greece, Japan and all over the world. In spite of the band’s growing success, personal problems resulted in the departure of guitarist Robert Nietsche. The band quickly found a replacement in their friend Pedro Giovani. With a new line-up, the band continued writing songs, adding "Garden of Souls" and "Son of an Eagle" to its growing catalog of tunes.

It was around this time that Steel Warrior had the opportunity to perform as opening act for the mighty Gamma Ray in Florianópolis/SC. This was a great honor in itself, but it was especially exciting since Gamma Ray is one of the band’s admitted idols. Of course, the show was a big success, and Steel Warrior was received well by the crowd and by Kai and all of Gamma Ray.

Steel Warrior hangs out
with Kai and Dan from Gamma Ray

After composing one more song (an epic tune called "Revenge") and gaining Boon Yu as a permanent guitarist, Steel Warrior decided that they had enough material to record their first full-length CD. The band recorded from May 1998 to February 1999 and released the CD in June. The debut disc is called Visions From the Mistland and features eight amazing tunes plus plus an intro and outro. The CD is completely financed by the band itself, but they are working on securing a deal with a European record label, which should be easy given the quality of their music.

Releases

A detailed review of Visions From the Mistland will be added really soon, but for now I will summarize the disc for those of you who are curious.....pure power metal from for fans of Gamma Ray, Running Wild, Iron Maiden, and the like. Very melodic and epic, with sword-and-warrior themes, wonderful guitar melodies and soaring vocals. A glorious collection of true metal tunes that sink their hooks in your mind and don't let go!! OK, that's a brief flood of praise for the CD. Now here's info about the demo tape, which is no longer available.

The demo tape contains three excellent tracks, all power metal tunes with old school flair and epic themes. The melodic double guitar work, the galloping riffs, the terrific choruses, the medieval flavor to some of the lyrics....all the elements that make power metal so cool are here. André's vocals are terrific, clean and clear, reminding me at times of early John Arch. Musically, there's a strong Iron Maiden feel to some of the tunes (think Piece of Mind or Killers) as well as early Fates Warning (think Night on Bröcken).

First track "Rasalom" is a midtempo tune with a great riff and some wonderful melodies and harmonies. The band's theme song "Steel Warrior" is fantastic, an epic tune with a killer galloping rhythm that kicks in at the end of the tune. The live version of “Crossing the Mist” is the fastest of the three tracks, with a sound reminiscent of Running Wild or old Helloween.

All in all, this is high-quality stuff that sticks in your head and stays on your mind.....to these ears, it's the coolest stuff I've ever heard from Brazil. It is WELL worth your time to check out this band!!

News and Current Happenings Steel Warrior has just released its first full-length CD. Visions From the Mistland contains the tunes from the demo tape as well as new material. This CD is 50 minutes of glorious power metal, with tons of melodies and hooks and not a single weak song. This CD rules!!

Distribution for the CD will be handled by Steel Gallery Records in Greece, Hard 'n Heavy Distribution in Germany, and Metal Crusade Productions in Japan. Sentinel Steel should be carrying this in the U.S., so give Denis a call at 973.398.3436 to see if he has the disc in stock yet. The CD is available directly from the band for only $15 U.S., so make sure you get a copy! E-mail me with questions or send some mail directly to the band at the address under "Links" below.

Sounds I've not had a chance to make any clips from the CD, but hit the official Steel Warrior page for sound clips from the CD and demo tape. See the link below and check `em out!

Links and Contact Information For more information about Steel Warrior or to order a copy of "Visions From the Mistland," send the band some e-mail or send your order to the address below via registered mail. Orders are payable by International Money Order or well-concealed cash.

Also make sure to check out the band's official web page. You'll find some sound clips from the demo tape and CD, a good bio, lots of cool photos, and plenty more. Tell the guys that I sent you!

Go to the official Steel Warrior web page

Postal CX 577 – Center
Itajaí – Santa Catarina
Brazil CEP 88.301-970

Phone/Fax
55 (047) 248-1698 / 55 (047) 344-3140