Member Since: 12/22/2006
Band Members: Apostle was a band from early 80's to mid 90's. It is no more. This webpage is a shrine in memory and in honor of the band. They don't record or play live anymore. Information about re-releases on the Apostle music will be posted here when it is available.
Apostle was a Christian Power-Metal band from Jacksonville, Florida founded in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Matt Harding, guitarist Chip Randall, guitarist Chris Smith, drummer Dusty Lambert and bassist David Lawson. Within the first year the band was Matt Harding, and David Lawson, they brought in drummer Bill Box and kept the Trio together for 2-3 years. Finally replacing David Lawson with Mark Borrero on bass. Then Bill Box left and David McKee came on the scene for a few years. Bill Box came back for Steel Armada.
For all intents and purposes, Matt Harding is Apostle. Matt had kept it alive writing and recording with different band members throughout the mid to late 1980's and early 1990's. Their musicianship was top notch; incredible guitar and bass players, soaring lead vocals, and featuring powerful double-bass drumming.
Apostle released several Cassette-only releases including with Bill Box on drums, Metal For The Master, Apostle, White Metal, King Of The Saints, Steel Armada. Then drummer David McKee joined for Chariots Of Iron, Hymns, (which was produced by Glenn Kaiser of the Rez Band.) In 1988, The Sword (from Hymns) appeared on a Regency Records release called East Coast Metal, which also contained songs by Arsenal, Believer, Rage Of Angels, and The Lead.
Matt Harding released Steel Armada with Bill Box back on drums for that project, Ray Schmidt on bass. Then with a new line up, in 1994, Apostle released Prepare To Meet God with the addition of David Brown on Vocals. Many fans did not like this new direction, and preferred Matt's vocals which were definitely a major factor in Apostle's sound. Matt's vocal style reminds you somewhat of Rob Halford of Judas Priest, while David Brown sounded more like Vince Neil from Motley Crue. Prepare was recorded in Matt's personal home recording studio.
There is a project underway to currently re-master, re-release all of the old Apostle music and more information will be available here soon.
Influences: Ozzy, Iron Maiden, Rush, Judas Priest, AC/DC, Whitesnake, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jake E Lee, Randy Rhodes, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Stryper, Allan Holdsworth, Tony MacAlpine, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Bad Lands, Michael Sweet, Oz Fox.
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: Indie