Steel Aggressor formed in 2010 by Rick Cope (Ex Phantom Witch), hired Bob Fouts on drums (The Gates of Slumber) and Damon Black on bass to record “From Ruins to Dust” later that year. It was recorded at Bob’s personal studio “Basement Rage” in Beech Grove, IN and submitted to Stormspell Records releasing it in spring of 2011. The album had great feedback, doing multiple interviews and airplay on podcasts such as “Raise the Fist of the Metal Child”. Later in 2011, Bob was hired to record a batch of new songs never to be released in a more traditional metal vein.
In 2012 Rick teamed up with David Phelps (Also Ex Phantom Witch) on lead guitar and wrote some new songs together starting off in a power metal direction, then ended up leaning in a more thrash metal direction. Rick and Dave hired Andrew Moore on drums and recorded at “Music Garage” in Indianapolis, IN. The album was titled “Mourning Star… Total Eclipse” and was also put out on Stormspell Records in 2013.
Not being totally thrilled with the previous outcome, Rick started anew with Steel Aggressor writing brand new songs back to the original “Ruins” format, power/speed metal to stay true to the classic German sound he is prominately fond with. The songwriting began in 2013, Richard Russo (Andrew W.K. among many other projects) was hired long-distanced to perform drum sessions in Nashville, TN. The drum recordings were sent over to The Lodge in Indianapolis, IN to begin recording their biggest production yet. Rick teamed up with Eugenic Death guitarist Jonathan McCanless from NC who performed a guest solo, many backing vocals, and miscellaneous percussion. New instruments have been included in songs such as keyboards, tin whistle, prima balalaika, and contrabass balalaika to broaden the sound.
The recording took nearly 2 years to complete. On Sep 29, 2016, Steel Aggressor’s Third Album “A Rival of the Fittest” was released.
We are now working on our 4th release. We are in the process of recording at Russian Recording in Bloomington, IN.
The Members participating in the are Rick Cope on Guitar, Bass, Vocals and Jonathan McCanless, on Drums, Guitar, Vocals. This may be one of our best albums yet!
