STEELER emerged during a particularly golden period in the history of German Metal and would provide a worthy legacy of some finely crafted Metal albums and provide the launch pad for noted guitarist AXEL RUDI PELL. Formed in Wattenscheid, North Rhine-Westphalia, STEELER had originally used the name SINNER, and the band was put together by guitarist Axel Rudi Pell and bassist Volker Krawczak in 1981.

Pell joined his first band at the age of 14 between 1974 and 1975 with whom he took his first tentative steps. The band, a school outfit called SILVER STONES, at least taught Pell the art of tuning a guitar, evolving into FIREBIRD. With the group splitting in 1976 Pell took a hiatus from music until joining a local act called MERCY and, subsequently, DEVIL'S DEATH, with whom he proceeded to play the regional school and club circuits.

Having formed SINNER with Krawczak, singer Udo Retzlaff and Volker Jökel. The fledgling group recorded their first demo during 1982, comprising 'She's A Stealer', 'Love For Sale' and 'Call Her Princess', utilizing the services of vocalist Karl Holthaus, on loan from local act NEMO, although he had also been known to have fronted a group called GLADIATOR. In 1983 SINNER evolved into STEELER, the founding duo recruiting FALLEN ANGEL guitarist Thomas Eder and a drummer in Siggi Wiesemöller.

STEELER took the demos to SCORPIONS producer Dieter Dierks who chose not to pursue his original interest in the band, although the tape fell into the hands of ACCEPT who were having problems with Udo Dirkschneider at the time and were covertly auditioning possible replacements. ACCEPT auditioned Holthaus, but eventually settled their differences with Dirkschneider without the press getting wind of the original problem.

Having received a fair amount of interest from demo track 'Call Her Princess' being aired on Tony Jasper's Rock show on the British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) radio station STEELER, not only recruited a permanent singer in Thomas Eder's former FALLEN ANGEL band mate Peter Burtz , they also hooked up with the newly formed Earthshaker label for a two record deal, releasing the debut 'Steeler' album in 1984.