UMUR "Unstoppable Force" is the second full-length studio album by US, Los Angeles based power/speed/thrash metal act Agent Steel. The album was released through Combat Records in March 1987. It´s the successor to "Skeptics Apocalypse" from 1985, although the two full-length studio albums are bridged by the 1986 "Mad Locust Rising" EP. There have been two lineup changes since the debut album as guitarist Kurt Kilfelt has been replaced by Bernie Versailles and bassist George Robb has been replaced by Michael Zaputil.

Both of the two preceding releases are raw speed/thrash/US power metal in the most fierce and hard edged end of the spectrum, and the basis of that sound is continued on "Unstoppable Force". The material on "Unstoppable Force" are maybe slightly less savage, a little more polished and melodic, but still filled to the brim with aggressive and raw speed metal riffs, blistering leads and harmonies, and a raw and organic playing rhythm section. John Cyriis strong voice and ultra high pitched delivery are of course also a defining feature of the band´s sound. I´m honestly blown away by his performance on this album. He is definitely up there with the greats of the genre like Midnight from Crimson Glory and John Arch from Fates Warning (...and I´d mention Rob Halford of Judas Priest as an influence here too).

"Unstoppable Force" features 9 tracks and a total playing time of 38:04 minutes, and while the pace is not quite as frenetic and the atmosphere not as savage as on the debut album, the listener is still treated to highly energetic and aggressive speed/thrash metal on most tracks. The acoustic power ballad intro to "Chosen to Stay" is longer than most intros, but the remainder of the song is in speed metal territory, and the 6:31 minutes long instrumental "The Day at Guyana" is not exactly a breather either, as it´s quite the busy and almost semi-progressive track. The latter is a re-arranged and reworked version of the last part of "Let It Be Done / The Day at Guyana" from the "Mad Locust Rising (1986)" EP. Album closer "Traveler" is the closest you come to a tranquil power ballad breather moment on the album. Other than those tracks there is simply no letting up on "Unstoppable Force" as Agent Steel keep producing strong riff after riff, pummeling rhythms, and great melodic guitar work, and of course top it off with Cyriis incredible vocals and paranoid sci-fi/UFO/Alien lyrics.

The album features a well sounding production, which is more detailed and clear sounding than the sound productions on the two predecessors, but raw enough to not ruin authenticity and power. It´s a sound production suiting the material perfectly. Upon conclusion "Unstoppable Force" is a high quality sophomore studio album by Agent Steel and it´s a real shame they disbanded in 1988. They would reunite in 1998 under the Agents of Steel monicker (without Cyriis), release a comeback album in 1999 under the Agent Steel monicker, work under the Order of the Illuminati monicker from 2001-2003, release another album under the Agent Steel monicker in 2003 and again in 2007 and finally launch a new version of the band with Cyriis in 2010. A complex band history, but "Unstoppable Force" is where the classic era ended for Agent Steel. A 4 star (80%) rating is deserved.

Time Signature CoVinyl Part 4

So I came across an 1987 Music for Nations pressing of the classic album that is Agent Steel's "Unstoppable Force". I figured I might as well pick it up and I'm glad I did.

"Unstoppable Force" is the band's scond full-length effort following up on the debut "Skeptics Apocalypse" and the EP "Mad Locust Rising". While definitely similar in style and sound to the preceding releases in blending traditional metal and speed metal and combining more conventional song structures with more innovative ones, it seems to me that "Unstoppable Force" leans more towards traditional heavy metal than speed metal. Moreover, the song structures also strike me as a tad less innovative.

That said, this is still a magnificent album showcasing great musicianship - in particular on the part of the guitarists Juan Garcia and Bernie Versailles who treat the listener to both great riffing and awesome guitar solos as well as the occasional twin lead melody. In comparison to the debut album, the solos strike me as a bit more melodic with less focus on speed. The drums are also a bit more varied than on the debut. All of this probably owes to the fact that there are more midtempo songs than speed metal songs on this album. John Cyriis' vocals are still in the vein of Geoff Tate on this album, and the lyrics are still in the realm of sci-fi, UFOs and conspiracy theories, so there's not much new here. While all the songs are great on this album, the highlight to me is the instrumental "The Day at Guyana" (which is also found on "Mad Locust Rising"). With its dynamic borderline progressive structure, it's a real musical journey.

The production is very similar to that on the debut and on the preceding EP. So it's very 80s but there is less reverb than on your standard 80s metal release and a bit more richness. Thus, it should appeal to both old school 80s metal fans and younger fans of more contemporary metal.

The cover artwork is kind of weird, depicting what seems to be a bunch of laser beams blasting through rocks. It looks like something out of a sci-fi B-movie, so I suppose it does fit the overall lyrical themes of the album. So, yeah, a bit cheesy looking, but I also kind of like it. The logo still looks awesome in all its 80s glory. I can't decide whether I prefer this gold version or the silver version on the debut album.

In any case, if you are a fan of old school heavy metal and don't mind high-pitched pseudo-operatic vocals, then you should grab this album if you come across a version of it.

Kingcrimsonprog Unstoppable Force is the classification-defying Speed/Thrash/Heavy/US Power Metal band Agent Steel’s second full-length album, following up the exciting 1985 debut album Skeptic’s Apocalypse and the 1986 stop-gap EP Mad Locust Rising. The previous record was a blistering Priest, Maiden and NWOBHM influenced explosion of energy, that was reminiscent of a lot of the best early Thrash albums of the time and with a few Queensryche influences sprinkled on top. This 1987 sophomore effort carries on that sound (and UFO obsessed lyrical bent), but sees the LA band lean even more heavily on the early Queensryche sound. Singer John Cryiss definitely has been listening to more Geoff Tate since the last record, and even on the speedier tracks, like the appropriately named opener “Unstoppable Force,” and the catchy “Nothin Left” you can still pick up hints of Tate in his performance. However sometimes the whole band just goes for it and full-on writes a Queensryche song, such as on the moody mid-temp “Still Searching” which comes across as the missing link between The Warning and Rage For Order, or the atmospheric album closer “Traveller” which has some delicious Metallica Fade To Black sounding lead guitar to start off with, but quickly ends up being their equivalent of Roads To Madness; derivative – maybe, delightful – unarguably! The real album highlight however is the six-and-a-half minute instrumental workout “The Day At Guyana” (which is not a Manowar cover, in case you were wondering, but obviously named for the same Jonestown Cool Aid massacre). Like the previous album, clocking in at just over half an hour, this record is filler-free, to the point and great from start to finish. The playing, performance and production are all tighter and more professional than the debut, and this is a damn fine follow up and must have addition to your collection. If you like your Thrash and are also a big fan of Crimson Glory, Metal Church or especially early Queensryche, then this is essential listening.

SilentScream213 An unfortunate case, as many have said before me: the music here is fantastic, but the vocals are very grating. The musicianship is prime Speed Metal, with fantastic, melodic riffs constantly assaulting you backed up by a very good rhythm section that combines speed and precision. Pretty much every song has a couple of worthy riffs that could be at home on any metal masterpiece of the 80’s.

It is no accident that the instrumental here is considered the best track, despite the music being on par the entire album. The vocalist is, not exactly bad, but… It just doesn’t work. When he’s singing more slowly and melodically, like in the acoustic into to Chosen to Stay, he actually does a good job, and has quite an impressive range. When he’s singing fast and more aggressively though, it all falls apart. It’s pitchy, grating, maybe off key, I can’t really tell since he’s changing notes so frequently. It just doesn’t work.

The lyrics are pretty standard sci-fi/fantasy fare, and follow the same themes as the first album. There are numerous nods to conspiracies and such, nothing really outstanding or even unique at the time. This is one of those albums that would just fair better as an instrumental piece, and would have improved significantly from a better vocalist.