History
In 1983 a demo was released by a speed metal band named Sceptre which contained two future Agent Steel songs: Taken By Force and 144,000 Gone. The guitarist on this demo was John Camps who is believed to be John Cyriis, a founder of Agent Steel. Taken By Force also appeared on the Metal Massacre IV compilation from Metal Blade.
John Camps left Sceptre (which then disbanded) and went on to join Abattoir as their vocalist under the name John Syriis, which soon changed to John Cyriis. He soon left Abattoir and teamed up with drummer Chuck Profus to form Sanctuary, which soon became Agent Steel. Mark Marshall (before he joined Savage Grace) and Sill Simmons joined the band as the two guitarists with George Robb on bass. This line-up recorded the 144,000 Gone demo in 1984.
Various guitarist changes occurred after the demo until ex-Abattoir guitarist Juan Garcia and future Holy Terror guitarist Kurt Colfelt became members. The first Agent Steel full length album titled Skeptics Apocalypse was released on Combat Records in the middle of 1985.
Kurt Colfelt soon left the band after falling out with John Cyriis and formed Holy Terror. He was replaced by guitarist Bernie Versailles and an EP was recorded titled Mad Locust Rising in late 1985. It was released in the USA by Combat Records and in Europe by Music For Nations. This EP contained one of a few Judas Priest cover songs that were recorded by the band, The Ripper.
George Robb left the band soon after Mad Locust Rising was released and was replaced by bassist Michael Zaputil. In March 1986 the band went into Morrisound Recording Studios to record the full length follow-up to Mad Locust Rising, Unstoppable Force. The band stopped recording for a few months as they went to Europe to tour. They toured through May with Anthrax and Overkill where the split video US Speed Metal Attack was recorded. They returned in June to finish recording Unstoppable Force; however, the album was to be released in 1987 due to problems with the product.
After the recording of Unstoppable Force, the band was severed when the band members spread out across the USA. John Cyriis and Chuck Profus went to Tampa, Florida; while Juan Garcia, Bernie Versailles and Michael Zaputil who were annoyed with Cyriis stayed in California.
John Cyriis and Chuck Profus hired guitarists James Murphy and Jay Weslord as well as bassist Richard Bateman for a European tour. The tour was partly a success; however, some of the audiences did not seem to appreciate Agent Steel's more melodic approach to heavy metal (in comparison to harsher thrash metal). The final show of the tour with Nuclear Assault (which had the UK thrash metal band Onslaught as the opener) at Hammersmith Odeon on the 20th of June 1987 was recorded live and released as a video later that year.
Internal problems with the band and also the lack of appreciation by many metalheads during the tour caused the band to end in 1988.
After the band broke up in 1988 Chuck Profus and John Cyriis joined and formed a number of projects both together and separately.
Juan Garcia, after leaving Agent Steel, had formed the thrash metal band Evildead with ex-members of his old band Abattoir (as the band had split up by then). The band released 2 full length albums, an EP and a live album. They had reasonable success in the metal underground. Even though the band broke up, some of the members including Juan Garcia created a new band called Terror who released one album and an EP before breaking up.
In 1999 Agent Steel was reborn. Juan Garcia brought in bassist Karlos Medina that had been with him in Evildead and Terror, while Chuck Profus and Bernie Versailles returned. Bruce Hall joined the band as the new vocalist. His vocals were not as high-pitched as John Cyriis's but the clean sung vocals remained in Agent Steel.
Agent Steel recorded Omega Conspiracy in 1999 which was there first album in 13 years. Their sound continued on as speed metal with some modern touches.
Chuck Profus sustained a hand injury and so Rigo Amezcua (ex-Terror drummer) filled in for him for live performances. He soon decided to leave the band and so Rigo Amezcua replaced him permanently. With this line-up the band started writing new material for their next full length album starting in 2001. The album, titled Order Of The Illuminati, was released in 2003.
Soon a mini CD was released (late 2003) titled Earth Under Lucifer, which contains the single Earth Under Lucifer and three songs recorded from live performances following the release of Order Of The Illuminati.
In 2005 Agent Steel released their first DVD which contains an entire performance at Dynamo Open Air.
In september of 2007 they released their fifth full length album, titled 'Alienigma'.
On May the 3th, 2010, the band announced the comeback of Cyriis with the following statement:
As some of you may, or may not have already heard the news that AGENT STEEL has parted ways with vocalist Bruce Hall. We as a band would like to acknowledge the accomplishments together with Bruce and the (3) three solid metal offerings; 'OMEGA CONSPIRACY', 'ORDER OF THE ILLUMINATI', and 'ALIENIGMA'. Together we had the fortune of touring and sharing the stage in some amazing places and visited some breathtaking countries. Bruce dedicated over a decade to AGENT STEEL and for this he should be recognized, and we part on good terms. We as a band still have the fire and passion to deliver the metal goods to fans from the past, present and future. We had been writing new material for the next chapter of AGENT STEEL, and after the news got out that we separated from Bruce; we were contacted by original singer; CYRIIS. Call it destiny; call it what you will, but now the communicative channel is open between AGENT STEEL and vocalist CYRIIS; we are in talks about an imminent AGENT STEEL reunion tour possibly involving summer/fall 2010 appearances and an extensive '2011' Metal-blitz. Honestly, we do not know how long this reunion will last; however this could be the long awaited destiny of AGENT STEEL originally interrupted, so long as everything moves forward in an evolving good working climate. Our objective regarding this AGENT STEEL reunion is attached with the intentions of providing the opportunity to not only the dedicated fans, but also to a whole new generation of metal fans the chance to see AGENT STEEL live on stage with CYRIIS; the original voice on the classic ‘SKEPTICS APOCALYPSE’, ‘UNSTOPPABLE FORCE’, and ‘MAD LOCUST RISING’ releases. The legacy continues...stay tuned."
Taken by Force
Agent Steel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Pumping blood through my veins
Sweet virgins sacrificed
Screaming with pain
Drifting through night air
Life's so insane
Dark scattered figures
Shooting steel through my brains!
Taken by force, showing ni mercy
Taken by force, lay your life on the line
Taken by force, your life's so dirty
Taken by force, save your soul while there's time
Living a nightlife
Life's living low
Low hearted beasts
Leaving tracks in the snow
Numbers are searching
Searching the light
Just to be crushed
In the dark of the night
Taken by force, showing ni mercy
Taken by force, lay your life on the line
Taken by force, your life's so dirty
Taken by force, save your soul while there's time
Shattered and hopeless
You've poisoned your mind
Cast of your worries
You'll leave'em behind
Drowning in sorrows
Tomorrow's not seen
Never know where you're going
Or cared where you've been...
Taken by force, showing ni mercy
Taken by force, lay your life on the line
Taken by force, your life's so dirty
Taken by force, save your soul while there's time
In the opening verse of "Taken by Force," Agent Steel describes the intensity of the metal music scene, particularly the bond between the metalheads as they thrash and mosh in their leather jackets. The pumping of the blood through the veins shows the exhilaration that metal music provides to the fans. The band then uses allusion in the second line to describe the violent nature of the metal music world, as they refer to the sacrifice of virgins, which is often depicted in horror or metal-themed movies. The lyrics then describe the power that metal brings, as the fans are driven into a frenzy and become wild, insane, and incoherent. The reference to "dark scattered figures" implies that the scene may be violent and aggressive. The song is called "Taken by Force," and the eerie imagery in this verse is suggestive of force and violence.
The second verse describes the darker side of the nightlife, with the reference to lowhearted beasts leaving tracks in the snow, and those searching for 'the light' being crushed in the dark of the night. It seems that this verse is a warning to those who may be attracted to the darker side of things, and the danger that comes with it. Many metal bands have warned of the dangers of engaging in darkness and exploring the limits of what society deems acceptable, and this verse certainly paints the picture of the dangers that lurk in the shadows. The song's chorus speaks directly to the dangers of being taken by force, with no mercy given, and the need to save your soul while there's still time. In essence, the song is a warning about the potential for danger and the need to be vigilant against the forces of evil that may take hold of you.
Line by Line Meaning
Bonded in leather
Wearing leather clothing as a symbol of a tough or rebellious lifestyle.
Pumping blood through my veins
Feeling alive and energetic, with one's blood flowing quickly and strongly through their body.
Sweet virgins sacrificed
Engaged in activities (such as sex or drugs) that are considered taboo or sinful in society.
Screaming with pain
Experiencing intense physical or emotional agony that causes one to cry out or express distress.
Drifting through night air
Moving aimlessly or without direction, often in the darkness or mystery of night.
Life's so insane
Life is chaotic and unpredictable, with unexpected twists and turns that can make it difficult to navigate.
Dark scattered figures
Unknown or mysterious individuals or groups that are difficult to identify or understand, often causing fear or unease.
Shooting steel through my brains!
Feeling overwhelmed or stressed to the point of wanting to escape or numb oneself, possibly through violent or self-destructive means.
Taken by force, showing no mercy
Being subjected to others' authority or power without the option for negotiation or compassion.
Taken by force, lay your life on the line
Being thrust into a dangerous or risky situation where one's life is at stake.
Taken by force, your life's so dirty
Being coerced or pressured into engaging in immoral or unethical behavior, leaving one feeling unclean or shameful.
Taken by force, save your soul while there's time
Taking action to preserve one's spiritual or moral integrity or to seek redemption, before it's too late.
Living a nightlife
Participating in activities or behaviors that are associated with nighttime and the subculture that exists during those hours.
Life's living low
Living one's life in a state of emotional or spiritual emptiness, with a lack of satisfaction or fulfillment.
Low hearted beasts
People who are malicious or cruel, with little empathy or compassion for others.
Leaving tracks in the snow
Leaving a trail of evidence or consequences behind, often without realizing it or considering the impact on others.
Numbers are searching
People or groups who are seeking something (such as power, status, or fulfillment), often at any cost.
Searching the light
Seeking enlightenment or illumination, often in the context of spirituality or philosophy.
Just to be crushed
Facing defeat, failure, or disappointment after investing significant effort or resources into something.
In the dark of the night
During a time of secrecy or concealment, often as a way to conduct illicit or shady activities.
Shattered and hopeless
Feeling broken or defeated, with little optimism or hope for the future.
You've poisoned your mind
Engaging in behaviors or thoughts that are harmful or destructive to one's mental or emotional health.
Cast of your worries
Letting go of stresses or concerns that are weighing one down, often to achieve a sense of freedom or liberation.
You'll leave'em behind
Moving forward or progressing without being held back by past problems, worries, or failures.
Drowning in sorrows
Feeling overwhelmed or consumed by sadness, loss, or grief, often turning to self-destructive behaviors as a coping mechanism.
Tomorrow's not seen
Being uncertain or fearful about the future, with little or no visibility into what lies ahead.
Never know where you're going
Feeling lost or directionless, with little connection to one's purpose, dreams, or goals.
Or cared where you've been...
Being apathetic or indifferent to one's past experiences or actions, often as a way to avoid negative emotions or regrets.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Camps
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind