The hard rock/heavy metal band ACERO (STEEL) started in early 1985 from the breakup of CICLOS D -a punk-turn-pop rock group that was primarily a cover band- and in its first stage the band was conformed by Jorge Molina (guitar/vocals), Francisco Pujol (bass/vocals) and Francisco Paz (drums). ACERO was the first band in Costa Rica to play heavy and speed metal music; however its original repertoire was scarce so the band also played covers from bands like Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Judas Priest and Iron Maiden among others. In this period the songs like “Libertad” (Liberty) and “Corre Libre” (Run Free) were composed. It was very hard for the band to get places to play and much less to obtain a recording contract as the genre was completely underground and the latin/pop orientation of A&R depts. in record companies and the radio made it impossible for the band to record or have any airplay at all. Nevertheless, the band kept playing live whenever and wherever it could to a small but growing legion of fans. By 1986, Francisco Paz decides to study his instrument further in USA so Marcelo Galli (ex-Ciclos D) is called to fill in the drumming chores. The band starts to project itself outside the capital and makes its first shows in provinces. At the end of 1987, Galli joins Café con Leche and its replacement is Johnny Soto. Coinciding with this, Molina steps down from lead vocals and Franklin Umaña becomes the new frontman for the band. In 1988, the band gets to record a demo at CBS Indica studios (today, Sony Music) Even though that work was never published, the 4 songs that comprise the demo (“Camino a la Oscuridad” [Route to Darkness], “Mueren de Hambre” [Die from Hunger], “Muerte al Inquisidor” [Death to the Inquisitor] and “Pasa la Raya” [Cross the Line] ), starts to circulate in the underground and soon become band standards. Before the year ends, Umaña leaves the band and Adrián Ortiz joins in keyboards but his contribution to the band is very brief. In 1989, after participating in various outdoor festivals, drummer Soto calls it quits and the band calls upon skin beater Juan Carlos Araya. Araya is replaced in 1990 by Fernando Alvarado for various club dates. In 1991 the band plays for the last time in club Terranova and splits indefinitely thereafter. Following a 5 year hiatus -in 1996- the band reforms with the last known line-up (Molina, Alvarado y Pujol) and do some dates but not under the Acero moniker as they do only “jam session” style shows. By the next year the reincorporation of Franklin Umaña as vocalist brings the official comeback of the band. The rock scene had changed dramatically during the break but the group is web received by fans old and new, as if had never been gone. In 1999, Umaña leaves the band again and the vacancy is filled by Adrián Moya who is the lead singer up to date. Moya, who is much younger than his counterparts, is part of the new rock movement and incorporates a freshness to the sound of the band as well as to the live performances due mainly to his unique stage presence. The year 2000 brings a new talent to the band as web in the person of Carlos Aguilar (rhythm guitar and keyboards). For 2001 the band is dedicated to making “tribute” concerts to its most significative influences such as Angeles del Infierno, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne. In 2002, the band enters Athor studio (co-owned by Aguilar) to record what becomes their first CD in 17 years of musical carreer (and endless struggle). The CD is appropriately titled “Pasado y Presente” (Past and Present), since the songs that comprise the disc are all from different stages in the bands´ evolution –from the first (like “Libertad”) to the most recent (“El Rey del Rock n Roll” [The King of Rock´n´Roll] dedicated to José Capmany, fellow musician, ex-Ciclos D that passed away in Oct. 2001)Carlos Aguilar joins in as ryhthm/lead guitar. 2003, Acero promotes the CD in local radio stations in programs such as "Rock Sin Fronteras" and "Punto de Garage" in Radio U as well as in "Factor Rock" in 103, "After Midnight" in Radio 2, "Sátelite" in 979 Conexión and "Planeta Rock" in Oxígeno. After the CD´s official release at Bar Sand in Dec. 2002 the band does some shows in the local circuit and does manage to open a very successful concert for Spanish renowned band Mago de Oz at Planet Mall. After this Carlos Aguilar quits the band leaving the slot for Alonso Aguilar (no relationship) in guitar. The band then goes full force promoting the CD to both local and international press and websites. Many well known publications review the CD favourably; among those are Germany´s "Heavy Oder Was" and "Heavy Rock", "Kerrang" and "Rock Hard" in Spain. Radio specials with the band are also broadcasted in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, United States, Mexico, Venezuela, Germany and Spain. Later that same year two promotional visits take place to Panama and El Salvador and the band is featured in rock radio shows where the audience has positive responses to the band´s offering. 2004: new songs begin to be worked on . Meanwhile Internet sites like Holand´s "Strutter", "Metalspheres" and "The Metal Observer" in Germany feature the band as well as "Encyclopaedia Metallum:The Metal Archives" and "Rock Detector" After a series of concerts, Alonso decides to withdraw from the band who at the time starts to collaborate with Cristián Villareal -better known in the scene as "Chimol"- former guitarrist for death metal band Mantra. There´s good chemistry since the start and many successful shows are staged such as the Judas Priest Tribute concert and also the release of "Metal Sin Fronteras 2" a compilation CD of Costa Rica´s finest which also includes the band´s "Reina de la Noche" 2005 marks the band´s twentieth anniversary and besides playing in the local circuit, more new songs are put together to be recorded. The 20th anniversary concert is one of the year´s most talked about events as it gathers the best bands in the scene, some of them doing their own versions of Acero´s classic tunes. 2006- the band opens a show for Spanish band Tierra Santa, this being the only show staged this year for the band which goes into seclusion for the recording of their CD. Meanwhile, vocalist Adrian Moya goes through a detox treatment. 2007- February stages the band´s only show yet another successful Judas Priest tribute concert. Drummer Fernando Alvarado leaves the band after concluding the recording of the new CD for personal reasons, nevertheless rejoining later for the shows promoting the release of the album "En Pie de Guerra" ACERO is: * Adrian Moya: lead vocals * Cristian "Chimol" Villareal: guitar * Fernando Alvarado: drums * Francisco Pujol: bass and backing vocals * Jorge Molina: guitar and backing vocals