Sacred Warrior - Live at Cornerstone Fest 2001 [CD]

In the early 2000s, heavy metal's mainstream popularity had waned, but the heart of the genre still beat fiercely within the Christian metal community. At Cornerstone Festival 2001, this pulse was revived, and one of the most significant moments came when Sacred Warrior took the stage for their long-awaited return. Hailing from Chicago, not far from Bushnell, IL, Sacred Warrior had been largely inactive but had recently begun to regroup, bringing with them a CD-R demo of new songs they had been working on. This performance was a monumental event in their career, marking a new chapter for the band as they showcased three unreleased tracks - "Come On," "Day By Day," and "Prince of Peace" - songs that would remain exclusive to this live performance and unavailable on any of their studio releases.The 2001 concert became an iconic moment, not just for Sacred Warrior but for the Christian metal scene. It celebrated the perseverance and ministry of these bands that had weathered the lean years when metal was no longer the mainstream force it once was. The collaboration between M8 Distribution and Millennium Eight/Magdalene Records to host the "80's Metal Retro Night with M8" at Cornerstone Festival that year was crucial in reigniting the fire of heavy metal. Sacred Warrior, alongside bands like Bride, Deliverance, Guardian, Recon, Trytan, and Daniel Band, brought the old-school sounds of metal back to the stage, proving that even in a changing music landscape, the genre still had a powerful message.This reissue, remastered by the band's own Steve Watkins, ensures that the energy and spirit of that night are captured with enhanced audio quality. The 12-page booklet includes lyrics as sung live, along with a write-up by NoLifeTilMetal and reflections on the band's return. The new artwork, vastly improved by NLTM Graphics, visually amplifies the electrifying atmosphere of the performance.Limited to 500 CDs, this reissue includes three unreleased tracks that are unavailable anywhere else - "Come On," "Day By Day," and "Prince of Peace" - making it an essential release for fans of Sacred Warrior and the Christian metal movement. With classic tracks from their previous albums and these rare new gems, the concert captures the essence of what made Sacred Warrior a cornerstone of the genre.For fans of Queensryche, Fates Warning, and Dream Theater, this reissue is a testament to the lasting influence of Sacred Warrior in keeping metal alive and well during some of it's most difficult years. Sacred Warrior's performance at Cornerstone Fest 2001 remains a powerful affirmation of their music and ministry.