STEEL ASSASSIN from Bay Area, circa 1986

[Stormspell]

Anyone have info about such band?
(NOTE: This is not the well-known band from Boston, but rather an arcane 80s demo band from San Francisco/Bay Area sharing the same moniker)

I came into possession of a 1/2-inch master reel tape which is labeled "STEEL ASSASSIN Master",
on the side tab it says "J.T. Productions, July 1986"

There is also a stamp on the back by Haymarket Productions from San Francisco.

I bought the reel from a local Bay Area flea market re-seller who could not give me any info, other that it was obtained in local storage auction. So in most probabilities the band must have been local.

Update: the tape has been transferred, it turned out to be a 8-track master recording with 7 songs on it.

01. Intro (2:20) - fast-paced instrumental, reminds me of early Omen somewhat.
02. Queen of Sin (4:03) - Armored Saint-ish heavy metal.
03. Soul Shaker (3:20) - slow and heavy crusher, repetitive, yet with a dreamy captivating quality.
04. On the Highway (04:09) - Judas Priest-ish cut (Killing Machine / British Steel circa)
05. Heart of Stone (02:59) - Power ballad with weird falsetto vokills
05. Heart of Stone (02:59) - Slow power tune with weird falsetto vokills
06. Coming Home (04:16) - Power ballad reminding me of Great White for some reason
07. Living on the Edge (03:10) - Fast-paced cruncher

Raw mix audio samples: https://stormspell.bandcamp.com/album/demo-1986

steel-assassin.jpg (54.36 KiB) Viewed 6335 times

[Avenger]

I haven't a clue.

Have you had a chance to listen to it?

[martinsane]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steel-As ... 2957766380

I'm sure you tried/trying, but maybe?

Seems to fit the timing and image, even though they are a Massachusetts band.

[Avenger]

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steel-As ... 2957766380

I'm sure you tried/trying, but maybe?

Seems to fit the timing and image, even though they are a Massachusetts band.

I think we're all aware of that Steel Assassin.

[Stormspell]

Right, I've already showed the picture of the reel to Phil Grasso, it didn't ring the bell. They are from Boston anyway, which is the wrong coast. I'm pretty sure the reel tape came from a local band, as it seems to be recorded in San Francisco, according to the stamp.

The Boston-ians did have a demo recorded in 1986, but it was with an early line-up and would not be released even if it surfaces, so I hope my reel is not that demo

And no, I do not own a 1/2" two-track reel machine and cannot check the tape, yet.

[martinsane]

Right, I've already showed the picture of the reel to Phil Grasso, it didn't ring the bell. They are from Boston anyway, which is the wrong coast. I'm pretty sure the reel tape came from a local band, as it seems to be recorded in San Francisco, according to the stamp.

The Boston-ians did have a demo recorded in 1986, but it was with an early line-up and would not be released even if it surfaces, so I hope my reel is not that demo

And no, I do not own a 1/2" two-track reel machine and cannot check the tape, yet.

Anythings possible? I thought they had a tune on an early Metal Massacre, so the potential is their for recording on the West coast.!?

Neat find nonetheless. Looking forward to hearing about what is on it...

I see what looks like a note card/paper in the photo? Does that have a track listing?

[Stormspell]

I'm looking around to find a studio that would handle the reel transfer. Unfortunately there's no other info or track list, the card/paper on the picture is not related to the reel - just a random piece of paper laying on my desk.

[martinsane]

I'm looking around to find a studio that would handle the reel transfer.

Good luck!

[Stormspell]

Tape is on its way to L.A., if all goes well I should have samples in 3-4 days.

[Avenger]

Good to know.

If you like what you hear, do you have any idea on what you'll do with the content?

[rumblefist]

Would love to listen at least a track of it...

[Stormspell]

Encountered slight delay. Turns out the reel is a multi-track master, not a two-track mix-down as I thought previously. Its getting bounced down and mixed, hopefully will have a sample to share in several days. It could be some total crap, or it could be some amazing bay area thrash gem. We will know soon enough, I guess

[Stormspell]

So far we've got 3 songs bounced down. I was hoping for thrash but classic heavy ain't bad either:

1. Intro (2:20) - fast-paced instrumental, reminds me of early Omen somewhat.
2. Queen of Sin (4:03) - Armored Saint-ish heavy metal.
3. Soul Shaker (3:20) - slow and heavy crusher, repetitive, yet with a dreamy captivating quality.

More to come

Check it out (raw mix, for previewing purposes):

http://www.divshare.com/download/26887164-e0e

_

[Prowler]

Cheerz dude!
Thanx for sharing this!
Great Metal, imagine this tune on a hyped super rare US single like Real Steel or Militia or something similar and it would be finally worth it's price! haha
Now you only need to find the band members ... thjat tune sounds really promising!

[Priamos]

Pretty decent but they share a name heavy as hell that is beyond competition.
Thanx, anyway for sharing.