Agent Steel - Biography
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Biography
The legend that is AGENT STEEL began in 1984 when JOHN CYRIIS and CHUCK PROFUS created the idea of forming a speed metal band with the lyrical focus centered on science fiction and extraterrestrial themes. 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.
This same year, AGENT STEEL recruited JUAN GARCIA from ABATTOIR and the AGENT STEEL - SKEPTICS APOCALYPSE album deal was negotiated with COMBAT for the U.S.A. and ROADRUNNER for Europe. AGENT STEEL then recruited 18-year-old guitar virtuoso BERNIE VERSAILLES to replace Kurt Colfelt and unleashed their debut SKEPTICS APOCALYPSE; The release date coincided with the band's first festival appearance in Montreal, Canada at the Banzai Heavy Metal Festival on August 17, 1985; along with the likes of SLAYER, METAL CHURCH, EXODUS, and HALLOWS EVE. 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!"
The second studio album; 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 different projects. Only Garcia released records with his classic thrash band, EVILDEAD, which released two studio records and two EPs on Steamhammer/SPV in Europe. 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 catalog and made plans to reissue the classic 80s 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, its 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 1999s comeback record OMEGA CONSPIRACY began immediately and contracts were signed with the U.Ks CANDLELIGHT records. 1999 brought the loss of Mike Zaputil from the fold for personal reasons and the arrival of KARLOS MEDINA (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 skeptics had been silenced by the bands 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 touring the U.S.A.. 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, and many others. The group was still in strong demand some live shows were sporadically accomplished throughout 2002 while recording ORDER OF THE ILLUMINATI a record full of passion and genuinely from the heart.
By the end of 2002, talks with Mr. Cyriis 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. In 2003 AGENT STEEL unleashed their unique brand of metal on the world with their fourth full-length studio album entitled ORDER OF THE ILLUMINATI. The album contains controversial lyrics, memorable riffs, layered guitar harmonies and out of this world vocals combined for an hour long sonic metal battering. A.S. toured Europe in 2003 supporting EXODUS and in 2004 were invited to play the Dynamo Open Air Festival in the Netherlands on a bill which also featured SLAYER and others; the show was filmed and AGENT STEEL released a DVD titled "Live @ Dynamo".
In 2005 A.S. made a live appearance at the "Raise Your Fist Festival" and the "Keep it True Festival" with additional European tour dates. AGENT STEEL reveal a message too powerful for the meek and too sincere to be anything but ABSOLUTE METAL. The band recently signed to Mascot Records and will be releasing their long awaited studio album on August 31, 2007 entitled "ALIENIGMA" With an upcoming European tour to support the new album.
This same year, AGENT STEEL recruited JUAN GARCIA from ABATTOIR and the AGENT STEEL - SKEPTICS APOCALYPSE album deal was negotiated with COMBAT for the U.S.A. and ROADRUNNER for Europe. AGENT STEEL then recruited 18-year-old guitar virtuoso BERNIE VERSAILLES to replace Kurt Colfelt and unleashed their debut SKEPTICS APOCALYPSE; The release date coincided with the band's first festival appearance in Montreal, Canada at the Banzai Heavy Metal Festival on August 17, 1985; along with the likes of SLAYER, METAL CHURCH, EXODUS, and HALLOWS EVE. 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!"
The second studio album; 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 different projects. Only Garcia released records with his classic thrash band, EVILDEAD, which released two studio records and two EPs on Steamhammer/SPV in Europe. 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 catalog and made plans to reissue the classic 80s 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, its 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 1999s comeback record OMEGA CONSPIRACY began immediately and contracts were signed with the U.Ks CANDLELIGHT records. 1999 brought the loss of Mike Zaputil from the fold for personal reasons and the arrival of KARLOS MEDINA (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 skeptics had been silenced by the bands 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 touring the U.S.A.. 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, and many others. The group was still in strong demand some live shows were sporadically accomplished throughout 2002 while recording ORDER OF THE ILLUMINATI a record full of passion and genuinely from the heart.
By the end of 2002, talks with Mr. Cyriis 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. In 2003 AGENT STEEL unleashed their unique brand of metal on the world with their fourth full-length studio album entitled ORDER OF THE ILLUMINATI. The album contains controversial lyrics, memorable riffs, layered guitar harmonies and out of this world vocals combined for an hour long sonic metal battering. A.S. toured Europe in 2003 supporting EXODUS and in 2004 were invited to play the Dynamo Open Air Festival in the Netherlands on a bill which also featured SLAYER and others; the show was filmed and AGENT STEEL released a DVD titled "Live @ Dynamo".
In 2005 A.S. made a live appearance at the "Raise Your Fist Festival" and the "Keep it True Festival" with additional European tour dates. AGENT STEEL reveal a message too powerful for the meek and too sincere to be anything but ABSOLUTE METAL. The band recently signed to Mascot Records and will be releasing their long awaited studio album on August 31, 2007 entitled "ALIENIGMA" With an upcoming European tour to support the new album.