STEEL was an impromptu traditional 80's Heavy Metal liaison between OPETH's Mikael Åkerfeldt and singer DAN SWANÖ, the latter known for a whole swathe of noteable Metal projects such as EDGE OF SANITY, BLOODBATH, UNICORN and NIGHTINGALE amongst many others. The OPETH credited Peter Lindgren and Anders Nordin supplied the rhythm section. Never intended to become a serious venture, STEEL nevertheless attracted the attention of Near Dark Productions who issued two tracks on a 1998 7" picture disc single.

Åkerfeldt also holds credits with KATATONIA, BLOODBATH, EDGE OF SANITY and HORRIFIED.