Bio: Can trace its history to a mid-eighties Chicago area mainstream group named Nomad that included vocalist Rey Parra, guitarist Bruce Swift and drummer Tony Velazquez.  Swift was the first of the three to become a Christian and played influential role in Parra and Velazquez making decisions for Christ.  After forming a new band to make music reflective of their faith, the three met bassist Steve Watkins at a Bible study and recruited keyboardist Rick Macias during a jam session shortly thereafter.

Decided upon the name Sacred Warrior because it reflects not only that their commitment to Christ is sacred, but that as warriors they need to put on the armor of God and prepare themselves for battle on a daily basis.

Sacred Warrior signed with Intense Records on December 10, 1987 and recorded four albums with the label: Rebellion (1988), Master’s Command (1989) Wicked Generation (1990) and Obsessions (1991).

Rick Macias departed the group following Master’s Command and was replaced by a second guitarist, John Johnson (Zeal).

Disbanded in early nineties but reunited for a show at Cornerstone 2001.  Released a five song demo the same year but again disbanded before a full length album could be recorded.

Of Interest: Swift and Velazquez later recorded an album with the alternative/acoustic rock group Broken Volume.

Current Status: Played a reunion show in December of 2009 in preparation for a concert in Puerto Rico.  Remains at work on new album, having finished five songs and working on five others.  Rick Macias sadly passed away in early 2009.

Official: www.sacredwarrior.net
MySpace: www.myspace.com/sacredwarrior777
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Sacred-Warrior

 

Year: 1988
Label: Intense
Category: Full Length
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: "Black Metal" (4:40), "Mad, Mad World" (4:16), "Stay Away From Evil" (2:46), "He Died" (3:55), "Children Of The Light" (2:38), "Rebellion" (4:29), "Day Of The Lord" (3:36), "The Heavens Are Calling" (4:32), "Famine" (5:12), "Master Of Lies" (3:13), "Sword Of Victory" (3:30)

Musicians
Rey Parra – Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift - Guitars
Rick Macias – Keyboards
Steve Watkins – Bass
Tony Velazquez - Drums

Note: Rebellion was mixed by Ron Goudie, who also co-produced the original version of Stryper’s The Yellow & Black Attack.  “Children Of The Light” also appeared on Heaven’s Metal Collection: Volume 2 (1992).  

Review: HERE

 

Year: 1988
Label: Medusa
Category: Full Length
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: "Black Metal" (4:40), "Mad, Mad World" (4:16), "Stay Away From Evil" (2:46), "He Died" (3:55), "Children Of The Light" (2:38), "Rebellion" (4:29), "Day Of The Lord" (3:36), "The Heavens Are Calling" (4:32), "Famine" (5:12), "Master Of Lies" (3:13), "Sword Of Victory" (3:30)

Musicians
Rey Parra – Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift - Guitars
Rick Macias – Keyboards
Steve Watkins – Bass
Tony Velazquez - Drums

Note: Medusa re-issue with altered album artwork: Note the red outline of the Sacred Warrior logo.

Review: HERE

 

Year: 1989
Label: Intense
Category: Full Length
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: “Master’s Command” (4:53), “Beyond The Mountain” (4:25), “Evil Lurks” (4:26), “Bound In Chains” (3:45), “Unfailing Love” (5:31), “Paradise” (5:21), “Uncontrolled” (3:47), “Many Will Come” (3:53), “Onward Warriors” (3:13), “The Flood” (4:15), “Holy, Holy, Holy” (4:27)

Musicians
Rey Parra – Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift – Guitars
Rick Macias – Keyboards
Steve Watkins – Bass
Tony Velazquez – Drums

Note: Vocalist Roger Martinez (Vengeance Rising) made a guest appearance on the track “The Flood”.

 

Year: 1990
Label: Intense
Category: Full Length
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: "No Happy Endings" (5:09), "Little Secrets" (6:18), "Standing Free" (5:00), "Are You Ready" (3:05), "Minister by Night" (3:35), "Miss Linda" (4:51), "In the Night" (5:58), "Warriors" (3:13), "Wicked Generation" (4:44), "War Torn Hero" (4:57)

Musicians
Rey Parra – Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift – Guitars
Rick Macias – Keyboards
Steve Watkins – Bass
Tony Velazquez – Drums

Note: Concept album based around the life of a girl who was abused as a child.

 

Year: 1991
Label: Intense
Category: Full Length
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: “Wings Of A Dream” (4:48), “Sweet Memories” (4:31), “Turning Back” (4:11), “Obsessions” (4:46), “Kamakazi” (4:49), “Remember Me” (4:40), “Fire From Heaven” (4:16), “Temples On Fire” (4:03), “Mad Man” (6:13)

Musicians
Rey Parra – Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift – Guitars
John Johnson – Guitars
Steve Watkins – Bass & Keyboards
Tony Velasquez - Drums

Note: Sacred Warrior added a second guitarist, John Johnson, in order to deliver the heavier sound. 

Review: HERE

 

Year: 1993
Label: Intense
Category: Compilation
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: “Temples On Fire”(4:03), “Rebellion” (4:29), “Master's Command” (4:53), “Wicked Generation” (4:44), “Obsessions” (4:46), “He Died” (3:55), “Beyond The Mountain” (4:25), “Minister By Night” (3:35), “Sword Of Victory” (3:30), “Evil Lurks” (4:26), “Sweet Memories” (4:31), “Bound In Chains” (3:45), “Warriors” (3:13)

Note: Compilation of songs from the four Intense Records releases.

 

Year: 2001
Label: Intense
Category: Compilation
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: "Intro" (1:10), "Children of the Light" (2:57), "Remember Me" (4:37), "Rebellion" (6:26), "Holy Holy Holy" (4:18), "Little Secrets" (2:34), "Wicked Generation" (2:10), "Heavens Are Calling" (3:26), "Come On" (2:15), "Day By Day" (5:19), "Prince of Peace" (3:43), "Temples of Fire" (4:32)

Musicians
Rey Parra – Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift – Guitars
Rick Macias – Keyboards
Steve Watkins – Bass
Tony Velazquez – Drums

Note: Live album featuring three of the five songs off the groups demo from 2001: “Come On”, “Day By Day” & “Prince Of Peace”.  The remaining two demo tracks include “Come Save The Day” & “Draw Me Closer”.

 

Year: 2010
Label: Intense Millennium
Category: Full Length
Style: Power Metal

Track Listing: "Black Metal" (4:40), "Mad, Mad World" (4:16), "Stay Away From Evil" (2:46), "He Died" (3:55), "Children Of The Light" (2:38), "Rebellion" (4:29), "Day Of The Lord" (3:36), "The Heavens Are Calling" (4:32), "Famine" (5:12), "Master Of Lies" (3:13), "Sword Of Victory" (3:30), “Day By Day” (4:07), “Prince Of Peace” (3:31)

Musicians
Rey Parra – Lead Vocals
Bruce Swift - Guitars
Rick Macias – Keyboards
Steve Watkins – Bass
Tony Velazquez - Drums

Note: Re-mastered and re-issued by Intense Millennium Records with two bonus tracks, “Day By Day” and “Prince Of Peace”, off the bands unreleased demo from 2001.