A Northampton based NWOBHM band, SOLDIER's were formed in 1979. After many line up reshuffles, Soldier contributed the track "Storm Of Steel" to the "Heavy Metal Heroes" compilation album on Heavy Metal Records in 1981.
Soldier followed this up with the "Sheralee" 7" single in October of 1981, also through Heavy Metal Records, but a planned album, to be titled "Infantrycide", never appeared due to disagreements with the record company over the proposed budget.
Undaunted, SOLDIER released the live cassette "Live Forces" through their Soldier Stormtroopers fan club.
After tours with BUDGIE and WISHBONE ASH, vocalist and founder member Garry Phillips departed as a result of personality conflicts within the ranks.
Ex-GIRL vocalist Phil Lewis then joined the band and demos were recorded, but soon departed, eventually relocating to Los Angeles and fronting L.A. GUNS.
SOLDIER folded soon after.
Guitarist Nick Lashley eventually went on to enjoy a term with multi platinum selling Canadian singer ALANIS MORISSETE after stints with KINGSWAMP and North American touring with another Canadian songstress, SASS JORDAN.
Over the years, Soldier's records began to be appreciated by younger generations who missed out on the band in their heyday, in fact Japanese NWoBHM fanatics GORGON covered "Sheralee" on the flip side of their "Back Street Killers" 7" in 2000.
SOLDIER themselves made a surprising return in 2003, releasing the brand new four song "Infantycide" EP through Starhaven Productions.
Confusingly, a bootleg album of the same title was released by Cherry Bomb Records around the same time, featuring early demo recordings by the band.
Hellion Records released an official compilation album of Soldier's archive material in 2004 entitled "Heavy Metal Force".
The album contained both sides of the "Sheralee" single, uncirculated demo tracks and live recordings, as well as one new track from the 2004 incarnation of the band.
2004 also saw the band release a new single, the red vinyl 7" "Murderous Night", on Killer Metal Records, and contribute an exclusive song to the "Total Metal Attack" compilation album..
2005 found the band releasing a new studio album, the eleven song "Sins Of The Warrior", through the reactivated Heavy Metal Records. The line up for this recording comprised vocalist Garry Phillips, guitarist Ian Dick, bass player Steve Barlow and drummer Ian Astrop.
Soldier remain active, but the ill health of singer Garry Phillips prevents them from touring, so for the moment they remain a studio only band.