Shield Of Steel was formed in late 2007 by former Black Rising members Gav Coulson (guitar) and Pete Goodfellow (vocals), primarily as a vehicle for touring Gav's original material. After a number of line-up changes the band finally settled on Mark Sykes, bass guitarist and another former Black Rising member and Rod Fearnley, drummer for local classic rock heroes No Quarter.
The bands debut album "Communion" was recorded at Audiomangle Studio in Dewsbury. The bands influences of Dio, Maiden, Deep Purple and a whole gamut of 70's and 80's classic rock and metal influences clearly shine through, and has captured a classic and traditional sound, reminiscent of the time coming up to the NWOBHM movement in the UK, when bands like Rainbow and Maiden ruled the Britannia waves.
The band have toured extensively this year, with over 70 confirmed gigs from April to December including a slot at the Leeds Guitar Festival. Gav is also the UK product demonstrator for Fret-King® and Vintage® guitars and provides demos and clinics extensively throughout the UK, and as such regularly appears in the JHS magazine GEAR.
Classic tunes for the older, wiser metal head, perhaps. |