The kings of US underground Power Metal have finally returned! It has been 10 long years since the last STEEL PROPHET release (and the only one in their discography that I didn't care for, the aptly titled "Beware") and with Rick Mythiasin back at lead vocals where he belongs, long-time fans such as myself will be very pleased with "Omniscient". This new release is a conceptual, science fiction themed album written by the talented Steve Kachinsky Blackmoor (I wish I had the booklet when reviewing so I could form a better understanding of what it is about) which is something the band is pretty much known for.

Coming Right out of the gates with the pummeling "Trickery Of The Scourge", the band delivers some first class riffs, harmony guitar solos and some soaring vocals that never go into the "annoying" range! Vince Dennis (also a member of Ice -T's BODY COUNT) and John Tarascio are an amazing rhythm section and throw in some great runs that add a solid dimension to the songs. My only complaint with this release is minor, but I could have done without a cover of QUEEN's "Bohemian Rhapsody". It takes balls of steel to cover a classic song and they definitely do it justice - they always delivered some amazing cover versions on tribute albums they've appeared on over the years and haven't stopped here, but I don't feel it adds anything extra to the album.

The best part about STEEL PROPHET releasing a new album is the fact they will be hitting the road soon. I've been lucky enough to see them live a couple times and to say they own the stages they play on is an understatement!  They were a last minute replacement for VANDEN PLAS at ProgPower II in Atlanta back in 2001 and kicked my ass that evening! It is good to see this great band re-emerge a decade from their last release and deliver such a killer return. I'm sure they will pick up some new fans and please the old ones with this powerful disc!