I have seen AGENT STEEL with Bruce Hall on vocals, and once on the first voyage of "70,000 Tons Of Metal" with James Rivera fronting the band. Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to witness them with the legendary, mysterious, and ever elusive John Cyriis (Jean Pierre Camps). Well, if Juan Garcia and Bernie Versailles are looking for a proper replacement, then may I suggest Federico "Mace" Mazza. When I play "Outworld", the sophomore outing - a wonderful experience - from these Italians, I am instantly reminded of those stellar releases: "Skeptics Apocalypse" and "Unstoppable Force".

Mace's invulnerable intonations are spot on the staccato shrill cries of the chosen soothsayer. The guitar antics and unstoppable forced velocity of the Penoncini Brothers mirrors the mettle might and never surrender agents of steel. Songs such as "The Interceptor" and "Riot Angels" will have you taken by the sheer force of the adrenalized willing minds that create such outerworldly melodies. Even the sci-fi elements are present in such time traveler suggestions as the title track or "Cyber Control".

Even as the swarm is upon us with this mad focus arising, AGENT STEEL are not the only act of influence. In fact as the seal of madness is unfolded other Power Metal Masters have fashioned and sculpted ASGARD into loyal disciples of iron and steel, namely: STEEL PROPHET, CRIMSON GLORY, SACRED OATH, early BRIDE, DAMIEN THORNE, SCREAMER, SAVAGE STEEL, etc.

More straightforward cuts like the haunting "Spirits", the VIRGIN STEELE like "Oresteia Trilogy" inspired "Sounds Of Shadows", the fast-paced "Wall Of Lies", the evocative Egyptian Mythology based epic "The Night Hawk", or the involved, brooding pace of the despotic "Marry The Widow" all give credence to the ASGARD invasion.

In the fury of the night, the interceptors are here and the age of steel is at hand, as they willingly brandish the scepter for all that is holy in and pure in the Tradition of True U.S. Power Metal!