AGENT STEEL — Mad Locust Rising (review)

AGENT STEEL — Mad Locust Rising album cover EP · 1986 · Speed Metal Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
UMUR
"Mad Locust Rising" is an EP release by US, Los Angeles based power/speed/thrash metal act Agent Steel. The EP was released through Combat Records in early 1986 and it bridges the gap between the band´s debut- and sophomore full-length studio albums "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)" and "Unstoppable Force (1987)". There has been one lineup change since the release of "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)" as guitarist Kurt Kilfelt has been replaced by Bernie Versailles.

"Mad Locust Rising" features 4 tracks and a total playing time of 11:43 minutes (the original cassette version of the EP features the bonus track "Taken by Force", which is culled from "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)"). The EP contains 3 originals (one of which is a very short intro track), and a cover of "The Ripper" by Judas Priest. "Mad Locust Rising" and "Let It Be Done / The Day at Guyana" are both incredibly raw and nicely fast-paced speed/thrash metal tracks with lead vocalist John Cyriis´s high pitched screaming vocals in front. Both tracks are in many ways a natural continuation from the material on "Skeptics Apocalypse (1985)". Raw, aggressive, and almost unhinged in nature, but still with a melodic sensibility, which makes both tracks catchy and memorable. Agent Steel´s cover of "The Ripper" is very true to the original and while the cover version is well performed, Agent Steel fail to put much of a personal touch to the song.

"Mad Locust Rising" features a very raw sounding production. What it lacks in clarity, it makes up for in power and savagery, and the sound perfectly suits the material. Upon conclusion "Mad Locust Rising" is a high quality release and a great addition to the band´s early discography. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.
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