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More about Agent Steel

Country of origin: USA
Founded: 1984/1998
Status: Active
Official homepage: Agent Steel

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Band History - Agent Steel (Online July 2003)

Agent Steel


The legend that is Los Angeles' AGENT STEEL began in 1984 when John Cyriis and Chuck Profus created the idea of forming an Speed Metal band with the lyrical focus centred on science fiction and the otherworldly. Not only was the concept entirely different from anything that had gone before, the music also reflected the uniqueness of the idea. Thrash Metal was in its very early stages. In 1985 EXODUS released "Bonded By Blood", ANTHRAX released "Spreading The Disease", DARK ANGEL released "We Have Arrived", and METALLICA, MEGADETH and SLAYER had yet to release their seminal works, "Master Of Puppets", "Peace Sells" and "Reign In Blood". This same year, 1985, AGENT STEEL recruited Juan Garcia and released their Combat Records debut, "Skeptics Apocalypse".

AGENT STEEL made their mark incorporating all the aggressive elements of the Bay Area Thrash scene with soaring vocals inspired by Metal gods JUDAS PRIEST and IRON MAIDEN. In fact, Kerrang magazine dubbed AGENT STEEL, "IRON MAIDEN on speed." In 1986, AGENT STEEL recruited 18-year-old guitar virtuoso Bernie Versailles to replace Kurt Colfelt and released "Mad Locust Rising", an EP to fill the gap between "Skeptics Apocalypse" and 1987's "Unstoppable Force". "Unstoppable Force" which was recorded at the legendary Morrisound Studios in Tampa, Florida received incredible reviews throughout Europe for the stunning musicianship and fantastic vocals and it seemed the only way was up for AGENT STEEL. Major labels began to court the band in 1987 but internal difficulties forced Juan, Bernie, and bass player, Mike Zaputil, from the fold. Chuck and John carried on with new members but the magic, for the moment, had been lost. AGENT STEEL disbanded entirely in 1988.

The next 10 years saw the various members pursuing music with little monetary success. Only Garcia released records with his classic Thrash band, EVILDEAD, which released two studio records and two Eps on Steamhammer/SPV in Europe, and Spanish Metal band, TERROR.

Juan and Chuck began playing together in a punk band for fun and the idea occurred to Chuck one afternoon that, "since we are doing this, we might as well be doing AGENT STEEL." With that thought in mind, Juan contacted Bernie and Mike and the core of the band reunited in 1998. Although their parting with vocalist Cyriis had been far from amicable, the band made numerous attempts to find him to no avail. This was most unfortunate because at the same time, Century Media bought the Combat catalogue and made plans to reissue the classic 80's records and promoters of the Wacken Open Air Festival contacted the reformed AGENT STEEL for a rare live appearance. Undeterred, the band contacted vocalist Bruce Hall whom Bernie had worked with after leaving AGENT STEEL in 1987. The band knew, especially in 1998, that there would be very few, if any, singers who could match the range of the mythic and enigmatic Cyriis but Bernie assured them that, "if anyone can do it, it's Bruce."

A rehearsal was scheduled in June of 1998 and Bruce blew the band away. After hearing him sing "Unstoppable Force", "Rager", and "Bleed For The Godz" the band knew Bernie had contacted the right man for the job and AGENT STEEL officially reformed.

Writing for 1999's comeback record "Omega Conspiracy" began immediately and contracts were signed with the U.K's Candlelight records, home of EMPEROR.

1999 brought the loss of Mike Zaputil from the fold for personal reasons and the arrival of (EVILDEAD/TERROR) on bass. 1999 also saw AGENT STEEL perform in Wacken to rave reviews and release the universally acclaimed "Omega Conspiracy". Though some were dubious as to the validity of AGENT STEEL without Cyriis, the sceptics had been silenced by the band's sheer power and ferocity and AGENT STEEL were once again regarded as a legitimate force in the Metal world.

In early 2000, AGENT STEEL, along with long time veterans ANVIL, RIOT toured Europe and successfully solidified their comeback. Metal Blade Records released "Omega Conspiracy" in North America that summer and the band continued to perform with killer bands, STEEL PROPHET, TESTAMENT, ARMORED SAINT, CAGE and many others. It seemed, again, the only way was up for AGENT STEEL. Plans were made and writing for the follow up to "Omega Conspiracy" began in early 2001 and the songs were completed in the spring; Cyriis had reappeared causing a bit of controversy and virtually stopping the band in their tracks. Chuck Profus, having had enough resigned, and Rigo Amezcua (TERROR) filled the drum stool, performing at the Classic Metal Fest alongside VICIOUS RUMORS, EXCITER, ABATTOIR, DESTINY'S END and many others. The group was still in strong demand some live shows were sporadically accomplished throughout 2002 while recording "Order Of The Illuminati" out of their own pocket. Hence, it is a record full of passion and an album genuinely from the heart.

By the end of 2002, talks with Mr. Cyriis, who now has a new band, STELLAR SEED, had finally begun. The air was cleared, an understanding was reached and Cyriis publicly endorsed this latest incarnation of AGENT STEEL saying, "The new AGENT STEEL have certainly achieved/created a great lightning bolt in behalf of truth/consciousness speed/heavy music works so they sure do deserve to wear the title/mark/stars, and most of all, silver bullets and stake, the AGENT STEEL name enforces. The ball is now in their court."

Now, in 2003, the stage is set once again for AGENT STEEL to unleash their unique brand of Metal on the world with their fourth full-length studio album, "Order Of The Illuminati", available in June through Italy's own Scarlet Records for Europe and King Records for the Japanese territory. "Order Of The Illuminati" is classic AGENT STEEL from full speed start to climactic finish. Controversial and thoughtful subject matter, memorable riffs, layered guitar harmonies and out of this world vocals combine for an hour long sonic Metal battering that will leave even the strongest Metalhead gasping for air and nursing their wounds. As always, AGENT STEEL trample where others fear to tread, disregarding convention, utterly assaulting the listener with Metal and message too powerful for the meek and too sincere to be anything but ABSOLUTE METAL.

NO COMPROMISE! PURE POWER! MASTERS OF METAL, AGENT STEEL, RETURN!

Current Line-Up:
Bruce Hall - Vocals
Juan Garcia - Guitars (also in EVILDEAD & ABATTOIR)
Bernie Versailles - Guitars (also in ENGINE)
Karlos Medina - Bass (also in EVILDEAD)
Rigo Amezcua - Drums

Previous members:
John Cyriis - Vocals (on "Skeptics Apocalypse", "Mad Locust Rising" & "Unstoppable Force")
Chuck Profus - Drums (on "Skeptics Apocalypse", "Mad Locust Rising", "Unstoppable Force" & "Omega Conspiracy")
Geroge Robb - Bass (on "Skeptics Apocalypse" & "Mad Locust Rising")
Kurt Colfelt (Kilfelt) - Guitars (on "Skeptics Apocalypse")
Mike Zaputil - Bass (on "Mad Locust Rising")
James Murphy - Guitars

Discography:

Live @ Dynamo Open Air

Juan Garcia - Guitars
Bernie Versailles - Guitars
Rigo Amezcua - Drums
Karlos Medina - Bass
Bruce Hall - Vocals

"The Metal Observer" Review

2005 "Live @ Dynamo Open Air (DVD" - Scarlet Records

Total playing time: 65 min.
  1. Guyana Intro
  2. Unstoppable Force
  3. Rager
  4. Illuminati Is Machine
  5. Ten Fists Of Nations
  6. Bleed For The Godz
  7. Forever Black
  8. Wash The Planet Clean
  9. New Godz
  10. Know Your Master
  11. Agents Of Steel
  12. Children Of The Sun (Bonus)
  13. Mad Locast Rising (Bonus)
  14. Earth Under Lucifer (Bonus)
  15. Avenger (Bonus)
  16. Diashow (Bonus)
Teiler

Order Of The Illuminati (Europe cover)Europe

Order Of The Illuminati (USA cover)USA

Juan Garcia - Guitars
Bernie Versailles - Guitars
Rigo Amezcua - Drums
Karlos Medina - Bass
Bruce Hall - Vocals

"The Metal Observer" Review
"The Metal Observer" Review
2003 "Order Of The Illuminati" - Scarlet Records (Europe)/AOS/Artillery (USA)

Total playing time: 53:40
  1. Avenger
  2. Ten Fists Of Nations
  3. Earth Under Lucifer
  4. Enslaved
  5. Insurrection
  6. Apocalypse
  7. Forever Black
  8. Dance Of St. Vitus (Bass Solo)
  9. Dead Eyes
  10. Kontrol (Instrumental)
  11. Human Bullet
  12. Brainwashed* (Bonus Japan)
Teiler

Omega Conspiracy

Juan Garcia - Guitars
Bernie Versailles - Guitars
Chuck Profus - Drums
Karlos Medina - Bass
Bruce Hall - Vocals

1999 "Omega Conspiracy" - Candlelight (UK)/Metal Blade (USA)

Total playing time: n/a
  1. Destroy The Hush
  2. Illuminati Is Machine
  3. Fighting Backwards
  4. New Godz
  5. Know Your Master
  6. Infinity
  7. Awaken The Swarm
  8. Into The Nowhere
  9. Bleed Forever
  10. It's Not What You Think
  11. *Beyond The Realms Of Death (Bonus USA)
Teiler

Unstoppable Force

John Cyriis - Vocals
Juan Garcia - Guitars
Bernie Versailles - Guitars
Mike Zaputil - Bass
Chuck Profus - Drums

"The Metal Observer" Review
"The Metal Observer" Review

1987 "Unstoppable Force" - Music For Nations (UK)/Combat (USA)

Total playing time: 38:55
  1. Unstoppable Force
  2. Never Surrender
  3. Indestructive
  4. Chosen To Stay
  5. Still Searchin'
  6. Rager
  7. The Day At Guyana
  8. Nothin' Left
  9. Traveler
Teiler

Mad Locust Rising (EP/Tape/CD)

John Cyriis - Vocals
Juan Garcia - Guitars
Bernie Versailles - Guitars
George Robb - Bass
Chuck Profus - Drums

1986 "Mad Locust Rising (EP/Tape/CD)" - Music For Nations (Europe)/Combat (USA)

Total playing time: n/a
  1. (The Swarm Is Upon Us)
  2. Mad Locust Rising
  3. The Ripper
  4. Let It Be Done / The Day At Guyana
Teiler

Skeptics Apocalypse (LP/Tape/CD)

John Cyriis - Vocals
Juan Garcia - Guitars
Kurt Colfelt "Kilfelt" - Guitars
George Robb - Bass
Chuck Profus - Drums

"The Metal Observer" Review
"The Metal Observer" Review

1985 "Skeptics Apocalypse (LP/Tape/CD)" - Roadrunner (Europe)/Combat (USA)

Total playing time: 36:54
  1. (The Calling)
  2. Agents Of Steel
  3. Taken By Force
  4. Evil Eye / Evil Minds
  5. Bleed For The Godz
  6. Children Of The Sun
  7. 144,000 Gone
  8. Guilty As Charged
  9. Back To Reign


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