UMUR "Mad Locust Rising" is an EP release by US, Los Angeles based power/speed/thrash metal act Agent Steel. The EP was released through Combat Records in early 1986 and it bridges the gap between the band´s debut- and sophomore full-length studio albums "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)" and "Unstoppable Force (1987)". There has been one lineup change since the release of "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)" as guitarist Kurt Kilfelt has been replaced by Bernie Versailles.

"Mad Locust Rising" features 4 tracks and a total playing time of 11:43 minutes (the original cassette version of the EP features the bonus track "Taken by Force", which is culled from "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)"). The EP contains 3 originals (one of which is a very short intro track), and a cover of "The Ripper" by Judas Priest. "Mad Locust Rising" and "Let It Be Done / The Day at Guyana" are both incredibly raw and nicely fast-paced speed/thrash metal tracks with lead vocalist John Cyriis´s high pitched screaming vocals in front. Both tracks are in many ways a natural continuation from the material on "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)". Raw, aggressive, and almost unhinged in nature, but still with a melodic sensibility, which makes both tracks catchy and memorable. Agent Steel´s cover of "The Ripper" is very true to the original and while the cover version is well performed, Agent Steel fail to put much of a personal touch to the song.

"Mad Locust Rising" features a very raw sounding production. What it lacks in clarity, it makes up for in power and savagery, and the sound perfectly suits the material. Upon conclusion "Mad Locust Rising" is a high quality release and a great addition to the band´s early discography. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

Time Signature CoVinyl Part 1

Okay, so I'm one of those people who took up a bunch of new hobbies dirung the covid lockdowns. These include things as diverse as weight lifting, kombucha brewing, and vinyl collecting. One of the first vinyls I bought was Agent Steel's 1986 EP "Mad Locust rising", and I was lucky enough to get an original Music For Nations pressing from 1986 in pretty good condition (that's the European version; in the States, the EP was released on Combat Records). I figured that it would be fun to write a series of reviews of some the albums I amassed during the lockdowns, and this is going to be the first one.

So, this is a short and sweet 12-minute EP containing four tracks, one of which is a cover version of Judas Priest's classic 'The Ripper'; the remaining four are Agent Steel compositions. The opening track 'The Swarm Is Upon Us" is just a very short atmospheric introduction to set the mood for the title track 'Mad Locust Rising', and I gotta say this song is a speed metal banger. It's fast-paced throughout and features some fierce riffing and pretty good vocals by John Cyriis which are reminiscent of a young Geoff Tate. Agent Steel's version of 'The Ripper' is pretty cool too. It's very faithful to the original, but there are Agent Steel elements sprinkled on top. The closing track 'Let It Be Done/The Day At Guyana' is another fierce speed metal attack which, in my opinion, is even better than the title track.

The production is typical of an 80s metal release - in other words, it's pretty well produced, but there is the obligatory reverb on pretty much all instruments and the vocals that haunted many releases back in the day. Fortunately, it's not as bad as with some other 80s releases so it definitely doesnt detract from the overall listening experience. I think the production will spark nostalgia in people who were around in the 80s and curiosity in younger folk who might be more used to more polished releases. The musicianship and the songwriting are both top notch with great riffing and a solid rhythm section, and I particularly like the dynamic structure and the variation that characterizes the closing track.

Overall, this is a pretty sweet EP. Fans of speed metal and old school thrash metal should definitely check it out. This is good stuff.