11/03/03

Axe Minister brought together by Bret Wienrich in about 1981, found the guitar player that complimented his style. With singer Danny Manely, they new they had something for people to here. After rehearsing for quit some time, they paired up with Bassist Keith Voegele and Drummer Lee Skyles. Keith and Lee had played together in a previous band building there thumping backbone. This new backbone was the key to Bret and Dave's unique style of guitar playing which led Axe Minister to many local St. Louis. concerts in halls all around St. Louis and the outlying areas. At that time night clubs were hesitant in bringing in the new wave heavy metal scene so Axe Minister and the many of metal mongals played halls, parties and outside concerts. Eventually over the years, clubs started to see the benefits of bringing in Heavy Metal. In 1985, a new vocalist named Danny Toth took the reigns and by 1987 Axe Minister recorded there first official tape to sell to the public and use for promotion. This tape was completely home made in every form. In the later 80's Axe Minister made the change with metal music to a new heavier and raw sound. The melodic Heavy Metal days were over. This change was led by Price, Skyles, and Voegele and not taken kindly by Weinrich. These changes were by far the best thing the band could of done. Moving Keith Voegele (bassist) on Lead Vocals in 88 gave the new Minister what they needed to keep in the saddle with all the new upcoming bands. In 1989 Evil Grows was recorded and was a big success with Axe Minister fans and in world wide under ground metal zines. As a 4 piece band, the Minister felt more alive than ever. BY 1991 the Minister ended with musical indifferences.

In 1998, drummer Lee Skyles called the Minister back for a jam. Although Voegele disappeared with out a trace and Price had no desire to play with the Minister again. Skyles and Weinrich brought in new vocalist Adam Brooks. In early 1999, Bassist John Van Coutren was brought to fill the void. This Minister was the heaviest by far and the most different of it's kind. This 4 some set off to play clubs for the old fans and gained the new. In 1999 recording the Comatose cd in the Home of Lee Skyles, 3 of the songs featured Dave Price on guitar. The Minister laid the law again for a few more years of Heavy Metal Thunder and they will not be forgotten, at least by the old metal moshers.