Sacred Warrior
Chicago, Illinois5 reviews across 5 releases
Sacred Warrior is a Chicago Christian metal band formed in 1988 from Nomad, a secular group begun in 1985. Its early sound combined operatic heavy metal with a medieval melodic cast, while piercing vocals and double-bass drumming gave the songs their force. The reviews compared the band to Dio and Iron Maiden and noted its direct scriptural focus. The debut Rebellion presented that style in polished form, with Rey Parra's multi-octave delivery set against fluid guitar leads and large background vocals. Master's Command made the attack heavier and faster, while Wicked Generation used a three-character story and returned to the more aggressive approach of the debut. By Obsessions, Sacred Warrior had added melodic shading and more elaborate structures without losing its hard edge. A worship song could still arrive at full volume.
The band broke up in 1994 after roughly six years together, then reunited for a Cornerstone performance in 2001 and re-formed as a working group in 2008. Keyboardist Rick Macias died in 2009. Rey Parra left in 2012 because of distance and scheduling problems, and the re-formed band issued Waiting in Darkness in 2013 with Eli Prinsen handling lead vocals. Parra returned in 2016, left again in 2019, and was replaced by Erik Schelling in 2020. He rejoined Sacred Warrior in 2023. The band played in Germany in 2024 while continuing to book shows and write new material in Illinois.
5 releases reviewed
Master's Command
Rebellion
Wicked Generation
Obsessions
Classics