__________.____ ______________________________ .__ _______ ________
\______ \ | \_ _____/\_ _____/\______ \ |__|\ \ / _____/
| | _/ | | __)_ | __)_ | | \| |/ | \/ \ ___
| | \ |___ | \ | \ | ` \ / | \ \_\ \
|______ /_______ \/_______ //_______ //_______ /__\____|__ /\______ /
\/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/ \/
artist: Agent Steel
title: Skeptics Apocalypse
year: 1985
genre: Thrash Metal
type: Album
label: Legacy Recordings
language: English
rel. date: 1985-06-01
source: WEB/MP3
quality: CBR 320kbps / 44.1 kHz / Full Stereo
runtime: 00:30:33
size: 77.62 MB
rip date: 2025-11-23
source url: https://www.deezer.com/album/10037196
tracklist:
1. The Calling 0:48
2. Agents of Steel 3:03
3. Taken By Force 2:29
4. Evil Eye / Evil Minds 3:04
5. Bleed For the Godz 3:28
6. Children of the Sun 4:51
7. 144,000 Gone 4:32
8. Guilty As Charged 4:57
9. Back to Reign 3:21
release notes:
Formed in Los Angeles in 1984, Agent Steel combined speed with John
Cyriis' outstanding vocal skills and a subject matter that revolved
around UFOs and conspiracy theories. Cyriis had briefly been a member of
Megadeth before forming Agent Steel.
After releasing the classic albums 'Skeptics Apocalypse' in 1985 and
'Unstoppable Force' in 1987, the band split in 1988 but reunited in 2021
with Cyriis for 'No Other Godz Before Me'.
With so many exceptional thrash bands emerging out of the 80's it can be
quite easy to overlook some of the talent. However, few bands in the
genre were able to release a debut as relentless as Agent Steel did with
Skeptics Apocalypse. Combining influences of speed metal and thrash,
their debut has no shortage of high-pitched screams or jaw-dropping
solos.
The album's only real fault is that not all the songs live up to the
first few tracks. This isn't surprising, however, as the opening tracks
are top-notch and truly set the bar high for the rest of the album. To
set the tone for the listener things start out with some science-fiction
based dialogue before the riffs come bursting out of the gates. Vocalist
John Cyriis is highly impressive but his performance is perhaps better
than ever on 'Agents of Steel' and the following track. He hits all the
high notes perfectly and even sounds eerily similar to King Diamond at
times, especially on 'Taken By Force.' However, it's his ability to
flawlessly combine some evil raspy growls in with his usual screams that
takes this album to the next level. A perfect example of this would be
the furious 'Evil Eye/Evil Minds' which is sure to even please fans of
black metal with some of Cyriis' hoarsest, most satanic vocals on the
album. His varied vocal performance along with blistering solos and
heavy riffs manage to keep the momentum going for the rest of the album.
It riffs unapologetically from track to track with ease and the drummer
does his best to keep up with the pace.
Whether you prefer to call it speed metal or thrash, there's no denying
that listening to Agent Steel is an exhilarating experience. From the
ridiculously fast-paced guitars to the unforgiving vocal performance,
Skeptics Apocalypse is one of the better albums the genre has to offer.
The lyrics about alien conspiracies and the subtle melodies are just the
icing on the cake. Then again, maybe they were abducted by aliens
because these agents know how to fucking thrash with the best of them
and their debut is certainly not of this world.