AGENT STEEL — Skeptics Apocalypse (review)

AGENT STEEL — Skeptics Apocalypse album cover Album · 1985 · Speed Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Skeptics Apocalypse" is the debut full-length studio album by US, Los Angeles based power/speed/thrash metal act Agent Steel. The album was released through Combat Records in June 1985. Agent Steel formed in 1984 and "Skeptics Apocalypse" was preceded by a couple of 1984 demos.

The material on "Skeptics Apocalypse" is a raw and powerful type of speed/thrash metal, featuring hard edged heavy metal riffs and rhythms and the occasional thrashy ditto. The music also features quite a few melodic guitar elements like harmonies and leads, so while the music is generally pretty raw it´s not savage and there is a good balance between the raw and the melodic. Lead vocalist John Cyriis has a raw delivery but also a lot of melodic sensibility. He is able to perform some piercing high pitched screams and do it often. The band´s influences range from contemporary US acts like (early) Fates Warning and Abattoir, to UK acts like Judas Priest (the 2008 reissue of the album features a cover of "The Ripper" as a bonus track) and Iron Maiden. The latter influence is for example heard on closing track "Back to Reign", which sounds like early Iron Maiden but with Bruce Dickinson on vocals.

Agent Steel are a tight playing unit and there is quality on all positions in the band. Cyriis of course stands out as his vocals are front and focus of the music, and because of his strong voice and high level performance, but the rest of the band are very well playing too. "Skeptics Apocalypse" also features a well sounding production and upon conclusion it´s a high quality debut album by Agent Steel. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.
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