AGENT STEEL
As a matter of fact, i've been in communications with Mel Sanchez,and Mark Caro from ABATTOIR and also EVILDEAD and we are in the progress of getting together and working on some new material just for the sake of writing new material, we will see what develope and not sure which project we will use it for if we even use the new stuff we come up with. It's just to be friends for all these years.
The legendary Agent Steel with that very special singer called John Cyriis? John is back in business with his new band STELLAR SEED. Do you still have contact with him and what's your vision of his new band?
I've exchanged a few emails with Cyriis and everything is good between us. About John's new project''Stellar Seed'', i am anxious to hear the new songs (just like everyone else).
I heard one song and it was phenomenal. I think what he is doing is awesome! Cyriis is a very intelligent man and i am sure the new material will be worth the wait.
John was also in a band called PONTIUS PROPHET which released only 1
demo i suppose. Can you tell me something more about this band or not?
Not really! I did hear the demo(i owned a copy of it at one time). The material was great!
Agent Steel released two fabulous full length albums but after''The Unstoppable Force'' album, it became very quiet and the band split up. Why?
That was a long time ago and we were young then; things happen, people change(i know i changed). I really don't want to focus on that time period, but you are correct in stating that ''Unstoppable Force''and ''Skeptics Apocalypse'' were fabulous releases. Let's not forget the EP''Mad Locust Rising''
Many years later, the band finally decide to get back together as one. Was it your idea to bring back Agent Steel alive?
No, not really, it was Bernie's idea and also the promoters of Wacken Open Air (they contacted us to perform a live-reunion show). Bernie did a tour as second guitarist in FATES WARNING in Europe and he told me that a lot of fans were coming up to him asking about a possible AGENT STEEL reunion.
I did not take it serious at all at first. Then we rehearsed for fun and it sounded incredible! It was magical....so we decided to do a few shows and that led to recording ''Omega Conspiracy'' which features the new vocalist Bruce Hall.
There must found a replacer for john i guess. I can imagine that it was not simple and very hard to find? What makes the band to take Bruce as the new front man and where is he come from?
Bruce came down and rehearsed with us and it sounded good. We didn't auditioned too many singers and the progress was not too difficult actually. The reason we chose Bruce is because he is a very unique person. He is from Los Angeles, CA from a band called GRINCHFIST.
Another singer, so another sound! How was the response from the die-hard Metal maniacs world-wide?
Positive for the most part. Of course you are gonna get your die-hard fans who only listen to our first two albums and personally i do not blame them at all because those were great records!
One led to another and the first album''Omega Conspiracy'' was a fect, and great album ! To be honest, i prefer the early Agent Steel releases. What is your vision between the older releases and this one?
I would tend to agree with you for the most part. You got to understand when we recorded ''Omega Conspiracy'' it has been 13 years since we recorded together, and now we were , in a position to record a new album, with a new singer, not to mention trying to replace the great vocals of Cyriis. Also the pressure was definitely on, and i think we delivered a world class album with ''Omega Conspiracy''.
A new album is coming along! Introducing is all yours Juan. What can we expect, any differences with the previous one?
I am gonna be completely honest with you, OK? I truly believe this is the best AGENT STEEL album, not to take anything away from the past work, but this is a great kick ass album!
It's different than the other releases, but at the sametime it's Agent Steel all the way. Lots of guitar solos, layered guitar harmonies, an instrumental entitled''Kontrol'' and it even has a bass guitar solo called'' Dance Of St. Vitus''. The vocals are out of this world and the lyrical content has lots of message and controversy subject matters.
Give it a good listen and i think you will agree AGENT STEEL has returned nd has delivered the Metalgoods ! The album will be available on June 9, 2003 in Europe!
What do you think about the Metal scene of today and what are your faves?
The Metal scene today is not as good as it could be, but that is not a bad thing It means that there's room for improvement...so let's make it better anyway! The scene is improving and there are some great killer bands out there. I like NEVERMORE, of course JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, SKINLAB, ARCH ENEMY, TESTAMENT, SLAYER, SLIPKNOT,...... too many to mention actually.
Do you think Metal has a place in the mainstream or not?
If you consider Metallica Metal then i would say that Metal has a place in the
mainstream yes. I think Metallica's first few albums were definitely METAL!
A big Metal fest is coming up at the end of the year with some other 80's Metal bands like Nuclear Assault and Exodus. Do you look forward to it?
Of course, i look forward to it ! This is gonna be incredible and lots of fun!
Any other pans for the future?
Lots of plans, let see...I am planning stages of putting together an AGENT STEEL picture disk for release through my imprint label called Artillery Music for the U.S.A. I am also planning re-releasing EVILDEAD and hope to work with STELLAR SEED(John Cyriis' new band) in getting their music out in the Metal masses.
In the name of all the METAL TO INFINITY readers, all the best with the new Agent Steel album!! Any closing comments?
Give the new AGENT STEEL album ''Order Of The Illuminate'' a fat listen !
I think the majority of the Metalheads will really like this album! Very heavy indeed with melodic vocals and tons of guitars and pounding drums !!! For updates, visit our website at: www.agentsteelonline.com or you can visit also: www.scarletrecords.it Thanx for your support!!