AGENT STEEL „Order Of The Illuminati”

I admit I didn't long for the new album by Agent Steel. I did like the previous one, Omega Conspiracy which was released four years ago, even a lot. But Agent Steel has always been a little lower on my toplist than Annihilator, Overkill or Testament. So that album couldn't attract me as the ones by the mentioned bands did.

But when I got Order Of The Illuminati, I put it straight into the player and – I must bow and apologize – it is an often guest there. It's because this album is just a great job. The masterpiece which attracts the listener with every note. Though it's far from being a milestone, it charms with many ideas and power – it's power metal, isn't it?

Yeah. Agent Steel offers something that has been evolving for many years, from an album to an album. Of course not every single piece of music has changed through all those years. The music itself is more thrashy than it used to be. There are fewer power metal connotations, but the vocal stays the same. That often made Agent Steel being compared to Iron Maiden. I suppose that won't change as far as Order Of The Illuminati is concerned, because every songs reminds me of the Irons – it doesn't matter if it's because of vocal or music. There are a lot of examples – see Insurrection or Apocalypse (World Without Windows). NWOBHM influences are quite easy readable on this album, but fortunately thrash sound dominates, so we don't have a feeling we're going for a trip into 80s. Otherwise the material would have less impact. It has a lot of it. It crushes!

Thrash that makes this album is quite varied. Once you can hear something like Overkill (Avenger), then even Testament (parts of Ten Fists Of Nations) or maybe Exodus (Earth Under Lucifer). Thrash maniacs will be – so to say – happy to hear Enslaved and Forever Black – real thrash bombers with galloping guitars and heavy drums.

It isn't hard to point the best track on the album. I think it must be absolutely Ten Fists Of Nations – bloody complicated, long, with a intriguing structure. I can hear thrash and power and Iron Maiden and prog metal and Dream Theater and Testament and what more in it. Great one, best to get to know this album.

All in all: I think that after hearing this record I will be longing for the next one by Agent Steel. I hope it will be as good as Order Of The Illuminati Is. Recommended!

note: 5/5