RAVEN
One For All
Metal Blade

AGENT STEEL
Omega Conspiracy
Metal Blade

The athletic rockers are back! Raven's One For All takes off where All For One left off. Produced, once again, by the infamous Michael Wagener, One For All features 12 high-energy, anthemic metal tracks highlighted by John Gallagher's distinct vocals and screams and (brother) Mark Gallagher's blistering solos. Drummer Joe Hasselvander also shines on this disc, filling the shoes of Rob "Whacko" Hunter quite nicely. Like Raven's past works, the songs are catchy as hell, yet still heavy as shit. Like Venom, Raven hail from Newcastle, England and were one of the pioneer's of the NWOBHM, both offering a completely new, innovative sound to metal music. And this band certainly hasn't lost their touch, and neither has Michael Wagener! This CD displays what real '80s metal is all about. Check out the tracks "Seven Shades," "Double Talk," "The Hunger Inside," "In the Line of Fire," and "Last Ride."

Agent Steel has reformed, and has released possibly their best work to date. Omega Conspiracy is pure power-metal that again, shows what true '80s metal is really about. The twin axe-masters Juan Garcia and Bernie Versailles (Fates Warning/Engine) highlight the bands speedy, yet melodic metal approach. Critics have attacked the band for replacing original operatic vocalist John Cyriis, and although Bruce Hall might not quite have the range or power of Cyriis, he definitely won't disappoint! The band, who still seem to have an obsession with extraterrestrial life and conspiracy theories, have recently conquered Europe, performing such prestigious festivals as the Wacken Open Air in Germany and receiving rave reviews. With bands like Iron Maiden making a comeback, Agent Steel surely has a shot at their second coming of worldwide success.

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