Sex, Drugs and Steel, Steel Affliction -CD

Steel Affliction – Sex, Drugs and Steel

Artist: Steel Affliction

Title: Sex, Drugs and Steel

Format: CD (Original Pressing)

Original Release Date: 2005

Label: S.A. Records (Self-Released / Independent)

Genre: Heavy Metal / Power Metal

Background & Production Sex, Drugs and Steel is the debut (and primary) release from the Arizona-based heavy metal outfit Steel Affliction. Emerging during the mid-2000s underground traditional metal revival, the band aimed to recapture the high-octane energy of 1980s US Power Metal (USPM). Produced independently by the band, the album gained a cult following among "true metal" enthusiasts for its uncompromising stance against the prevailing trends of the era. The lineup featured vocalist James "The Beast" Cass, guitarists Kevin Hudson and Chris Chrusciaki, bassist Steve "The Shark" Sharkey, and drummer Jeff Cass.

Musical Composition & Style The album is a relentless tribute to the "Old School" era, characterized by galloping rhythms, soaring vocals, and dual-guitar harmonies.

• The Sound: Heavily influenced by the likes of Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Jag Panzer, the music emphasizes speed, melody, and traditional song structures.

• Key Tracks: "Steel Affliction" serves as the band's anthem, while tracks like "Point of No Return" and "Lust for Gold" showcase their ability to balance aggression with catchy, anthemic choruses.

• Vocal Style: James Cass delivers a classic metal performance, utilizing a wide range of gritty mid-tones and piercing high-frequency screams.

• Lyric Themes: True to its title, the album explores classic metal tropes—fantasy, rebellion, and the lifestyle of the genre itself.

Original CD & Collector Notes As an independent release with limited distribution, the original CD is quite scarce and highly sought after by collectors of underground US metal.

• Identification: The original 2005 release was issued by the band on their own S.A. Records imprint. It features a standard jewel case with a multi-page booklet containing lyrics and band photos.

• The Artwork: The cover art is a quintessential metal illustration featuring the band’s logo prominently over a gritty, industrial backdrop.

• Rarity: Because the band did not have major label backing, the initial pressing run was relatively small. It is frequently traded among collectors of "obscure" heavy metal and rarely appears in mainstream retail shops.

• 2023 Reissue Note: For your inventory awareness, the album was re-released in 2023 by Heaven and Hell Records as a "20th Anniversary Edition" with bonus tracks. However, the 2005 S.A. Records original remains the preferred choice for purist collectors.

  • Keywords: Steel Affliction, Sex Drugs and Steel, Original CD, 2005, S.A. Records, US Power Metal, Heavy Metal, Rare CD, Underground Metal, Arizona Metal.

  • Collection Ideas: Underground US Power Metal, Rare Independent Metal CDs, 2000s Heavy Metal Revival, Cult Classic Metal.

  • Related Artists: Helstar, Omen, Vicious Rumors, Liege Lord, Attacker.

MINT - sealed

NM - likely never played - almost perfect

VG+ - light scuffs, light scratches wont effect play

VG -  signs of wear, light scratches you can feel

GOOD -  surface noise, visible groove wear

POOR / FAIR- some damage, causing issues like skipping & distorted audio

OIS - original inner sleeve