Agent Steel
| Agent Steel | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1984–1988, 1999–Present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts |
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| Website | www.agentsteelonline.com |
| Members | John Cyriis Juan Garcia Bernie Versailles Robert Cardenas Rigo Amezcua |
| Past members | Mark Marshall Bill Simmons Kurt Kilfelt George Robb B. East James Murphy J. Weslord Karlos Medina Tim Thomas Richard Bateman Mike Zaputil Chuck Profus Bruce Hall |
Agent Steel is an American speed metal band from Los Angeles, California that was formed in 1984 by singer John Cyriis (birth name disputed, possibly João Campos or Jean Pierre), and drummer Chuck Profus. The band released two full-length albums, and one EP before disbanding in 1988. They were most notable for John Cyriis's high-pitched vocals, catchy songs, melodic riffs, and fast tempos mixed in with their unusual (in heavy metal) UFOs, and differential anthropology -as the band's song/lyrical themes. The band reformed in 1999 and has released three full-length albums since.
John Camps left Sceptre (with whom had composed "Taken by force" and "144,000 gone" and disbanded after his leaving) and went on to join Abattoir as their vocalist under the name John Syriis, which soon changed to "Cyriis". He left Abattoir and teamed up with Bill Simmons guitar Paul Ginsert bass and Eric Keck drums as Agent Steel. John got upset and left us which we became The Wrath and onto Hammer Damage and he teamed up with drummer Chuck Profus to form Agent Steel with new members. Mark Marshall (before he joined Savage Grace) and Bill Simmons joined the band for a short stay as the two guitarists with George Robb on bass. In 1984 this line-up recorded with producer Dan McConomy, the "144,000 Gone" demo. The demo was subsequently played on KMET - The Mighty Metal hour; and with the help of new recruit guitarist Juan Garcia; got the attention of Combat Records and signed Agent Steel to a record deal. Agent Steel's debut show was opening for Slayer at The Country Club in Reseda, California. Steve Sinclair from Combat records signed the band.
Various guitarist changes occurred after the "144,000 Gone" demo, but eventually ex-Abattoir guitarist Juan Garcia and guitarist Kurt Colfelt became members. The first Agent Steel full-length album titled Skeptics Apocalypse was released on Combat Records on August 17, 1985.
Kurt Colfelt soon left the band after a falling out with Cyriis and formed Holy Terror (which is a slang term for a problem child), changing the spelling of his name in Kurt Kilfelt. He also kept the song "Back to reign" and recorded it with Holy Terror as "Debt of pain". Kurt was replaced by guitarist Bernie Versailles and an EP was recorded entitled Mad Locust Rising in late 1985. It was released in the USA by Combat Records and in Europe by Music for Nations. This EP contained "The Ripper", one of a few Judas Priest cover songs that were recorded by the band.
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