Customer Reviews

Skeptics Apocalypse

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As I stated in my Unstoppable Force review, Agent Steel was a band that released two albums and an EP that are still regarded as 80s metal classics, mostly for their original sound, brutal enough to attract thrashers, but at the same time brimming with enough technicality and melodic ideas to attract more traditional minded metal fans.

It's clear that Agent Steel had their sound completely realized by the time of their debut: aside from minor production issues (the guitars sound a tad thinner, for example) the only noticeable difference between this album and the second is John Cyriis' use of King Diamond like falsettos every now and then.

In closing, just like Unstoppable Force, this can be an extremely satisfying album for any heavy metal fan.

Metal Trivia Note # 1: After the release of this album, guitarist Kurt Colfelt left the band to form Holy Terror, a much more thrash oriented project. He was replaced by Bernie Versailles on the Mad Locust EP with no noticeable effect on the band's sound.

It's hard to believe that this is what they sound like on their debut album. These guys are extremely fast and technical. To me John Cyriis sounds like a combination of mostly James Rivera of Helstar, with some Bruce Dickinson, and can even hit notes that remind me of King Diamond. Did I mention these guys are fast? They go at a blistering pace. Children of the Sun is probably my favorite. They sound the most like Iron Maiden on that one both musically and vocals. A lot of people don't seem to think that his vocal style goes well with Thrash but I disagree. One thing in the product description is that they don't mention the cover of Judas Priest's The Ripper. I don't know if its the best cover of that song I've heard but it's really close. The production on Calling 98 for Skeptics and The Unexpected is kind of poor. Other than that a great cd. 4 1/2 stars really.

Is there ANYONE heavier than AGENT STEEL?!?! HELL to the NO!!! In my opinion this album could have been a single with "Agents of Steel" on one side and "Bleed For The Godz" on the other, and it would STILL be worth $20 or more. Even SLAYER wishes they could play this fast, heavy and CLEAN. Razor-sharp guitars, soaring vocals, intelligent lyrics...buy it already. KK (Rock Over America and CRYPT magazines)