Steel Prophet - Omniscient (2014)

Genre: Power
Bitrate: 320 k
Size: 128.52 MB


Line-up:

Steve Kachinsky Blackmoor - Guitar
Rick Mythiasin - Vocals
Vince du Juan Dennis - Bass
John Tarascio - Drums
Jon Paget - Guitar


Biography:

The highly respected STEEL PROPHET, hailing from Van Nuys in California, deliver technically minded Progressive Heavy Metal. The band was actually assembled in Middletown, Connecticut during 1983, at first involving guitarist Steve Kachinsky Blakmoor, frontman Gary Stocking and drummer Harry Blackwell. A four track demo was recorded working with co-producer Mike Arafeh. A second set of songs, billed 'Resurrection' and recorded at The Center for Media Arts in New York, again saw Mike Arafeh behind the desk with a third session, in 1985, tracked at The SynHouse. The band then evolved, drawing in singer Dave Brooks, bassist Wayne Faircloth and John Tarascio on drums to record a song 'In The Dream', donated to the 'Iron Tyrants Vol.2' compilation album in 1987. STEEL PROPHET would then commit to the studio for the 'Steel Prophet' demo tape.

In 1988 Kachinsky Blakmoor and Tarascio relocated to Los Angeles, California, re-building an all new STEEL PROPHET with vocalist Scott Lindsenbard, guitarist Domenic Chavira and bassist Vince du Juan Dennis. Before long Nick Mantis of ASCENDENCE usurped Lindsenbard and the group's next effort, 'Visions Of Force', was released by Tru Star Entertainment. in 1988. Still in flux, the band pulled in new second guitarist Jon Paget and Rick Mythiasin, having a fleeting association with PANTERA, as new singer. Yet another demo, 'Inner Ascendance', arrived in 1989. Reaction to this demo in Europe was strong and in 1992 the material was thought highly enough of the Metal underground to share space with JAG PANZER on an infamous bootleg release.

Throughout the early nineties STEEL PROPHET engaged in extensive live work across California, opening for the likes of MANOWAR, SAXON, ARMORED SAINT, CANDLEMASS, FATES WARNING, SACRED REICH and FLOTSAM AND JETSAM amongst many others. The group signed to Foundations 2000 Records, cutting pre-production tapes in anticipation of an album release. When no schedule was forthcoming, the band self-financed their commercial debut. 'The Goddess Principle' album was released in 1995 on the Brainstorm Division imprint. The recording roster for this outing comprised singer Rick Mythiasin, guitarists Steve Kachinsky and Horacio Colmenares, bass player Vince du Juan Dennis with John Tarascio on drums. The Art of Music label in Germany picked up a license for European release.

A five song EP, 'Continuum', was delivered in 1996. Another shift witnessed the departure of both Colmenares, forging NEW EDEN, and Tarascio and the subsequent installation of Jon Pons on guitar and drummer Pete Parada. This revised formation crafted the 1997 album 'Into The Void (Hallucinogenic Conception)'.

The album comprised numerous re-works of earlier material including 'Passage Of Time (Amber Leaves)' and 'The Revenant', previously known as 'Dogs Of War', both originally from the band's 1986 demo and a cover of IRON MAIDEN's 'Purgatory'. Guitarist Bernie Versye contributes to the song 'Hate'.

During this period bassist Vincent Du Juan Dennis was loaned to PRONG for a nationwide tour. Subsequently, drummer Pete Parada joined GENE LOVES JEZEBEL for touring and would later make his mark with ENGINE, HALFORD and FACE TO FACE. STEEL PROPHET underwent further trauma, with vocalist Rick Mythiasin being admitted to drug rehabilitation centres twice during actual recording, the song 'Death Of Innocence' even missing a whole verse and chorus because Mythiasin was too sick to perform it. The bad luck continued as Du Juan Dennis was shot in the chest after the album's completion. Fortunately the bassist survived.

The band signed a new record deal with leading German label Nuclear Blast Records in 1998 to record the 'Dark Hallucinations' album in the spring of 1999. These tracks were laid down with new drummer Pat McGrath, a scene veteran of RIOT, PROTOTYPE and KILLING CULTURE. Studio guests on 'Dark Hallucinations' included guitarist TRIBE OF GYPSIES guitarist Roy Z., AGENT STEEL's Bernie Versailles and Joe Floyd of WARRIOR. To market 'Dark Hallucinations' the band toured across Europe backing GAMMA RAY, EDGUY and with ROLAND GRAPOW's solo band, as well as appearing at the 'Wacken Open Air' festival. During 1999 STEEL PROPHET cut their homage to JUDAS PRIEST with their take on 'Dream Deceiver' appearing on the 'Hell Bent For Metal' tribute album.

The next studio effort, entitled 'Messiah' released in January 2000, had Kevin Cafferty involved as session drummer. Upon release John Pons was replaced by Jim Williams to undertake another round of European shows sharing stages with ANGEL DUST and LEFAY. STEEL PROPHET's 2000 release 'Genesis' comprises the band's 1989 'Inner Ascendance' demo together with various cover versions of tracks by JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, METALLICA, BLACK SABBATH and surprisingly SIMPLE MINDS.

STEEL PROPHET drafted ex-SORG member Petter Karl Rosqvist on drums in 2001, working with WARRIOR's Joe Floyd as producer to record 'The Book Of The Dead' album at Silver Cloud Studios. The band's first nationwide US tour had the group flanking HELSTAR and REIGN OF TERROR with notable stops at the Milwaukee Metalfest XV, Progpower 2, Utltrasound2001 and the Powermad festival. Mythiasin would embark on a side project assembled by Tobias Exxel of German act EDGUY. This union, the 'Spirit Of Freedom' album, was released under the TARAXACUM banner in 2001. The singer would also session on the late 2001 REDEMPTION project assembled by guitarist Nick Van Dyk.

In February 2002 the combination of Joe Floyd and Silver Cloud Studios was revisited in order to render next album 'Unseen'. Rick Mythiasin made his exit from STEEL PROPHET to concentrate solely on TARAXACUM during July 2002. However, by September, and despite breaking his leg in three places whilst trying to perform a handstand, Mythiasin had enrolled with NEW EDEN for their 'Stagnant Progression'. The ex-singer subsequently forged the suitably titled MYTHIASIN.

2002 would also bring about the arrival of VINDIKATION, a new band featuring STEEL PROPHET members guitarist Jim Williams and drummer Karl Rosqvist working with vocalist Jason McCrarey of SANCTUS and WINDS DIED DOWN keyboard player Rob Rampley. This unit soon set to work on an album entitled 'Chamber of Discontent'. Rick Mythiasin acted as session guest.

In a surprise move in April 2003 STEEL PROPHET called upon the services of former Glam star Nadir D'Priest as their new frontman. The new singer was best known for fronting Los Angeles 80s bands LONDON and D'PRIEST as well as issuing a 1998 Spanish language album 'Tatuaje' billing himself as ANTONIO NADIR. The group also added guitarist Pete Skermetta at the same juncture. By November the new look band, having debuted on the live front at the 'Dwell in Darkness' festival in Phoenix, Arizona, had completed a set of demos in preparation for a new studio album 'Beware', having switched labels from Nuclear Blast to Massacre Records. February 2004 found the band parting ways with drummer Karl Rosqvist, leaving to join THE DISCIPLES, and replacing him with returning skinsman Kevin Cafferty.

'Beware', surfacing in July, saw release through Nightmare Records in the USA, Massacre Records in Europe, Canada and Australia and Megahard Records in South America. European variants added a bonus DVD disc consisting of live material, documentary and promotional video for the song 'Leatherette'. The US version too added a bonus disc, this comprising the 'Eyes Of The Prophet (Visions Past)' album. This extra material also saw a European release as a separate, limited edition vinyl picture disc issued by Hellion Records.

October witnessed a major shake up in the ranks as the band parted ways with guitarist Pete Skermetta, drummer Kevin Cafferty and bassist Vince Dennis. Newly installed in a quick fire swap would be NEW EDEN guitarist Tim Thomas, HELLION, MOTHER MERCY, Orange County acts BRAT PRINCE and SHATTERED, besides DEF LEPPARD tribute act PYROMANIA credited bassist Glenn Cannon and Gene McEwen, veteran of ARMED FORCES and PROJECT STEIGER on drums. This revised line up debuted on 18th December at The Whisky A Go Go in Hollywood.

In April 2005 STEEL PROPHET announced that AGENT STEEL singer Bruce Hall had become the new frontman. In side activity, Glenn Cannon activated Gothic Industrial band HADES INFERNO. Steve Kachinsky-Blakmoor activated a Death / Thrash side venture billed DEATH FOLLOWS A SHADOW in collaboration with the erstwhile ENRAGED pairing of vocalist Charlie Z and bassist Jason Lenhard. An EP, 'Five Stages Of Death', arrived in May. In June Gene McEwen joined ex-ANTHRAX singer NEIL TURBIN's live band.

Vocalist Rick Mythiasin rejoined STEEL PROPHET in March 2007 for new album recordings.

13th September 2008 saw Steel Prophet headlining the famous German Swordbrothers Festival, but for this gig they surprisingly played without Steve Kachinsky.

In 2011 Rick Mythiasin stated : "Hello true fans of Steel Prophet, Thanks to all of you out there! We will have a new album out by early 2012, I can asure you that it will be worth the wait!"

In July 2011 Steve Kachinsky stated : " We actually finished a couple new songs a couple years ago and have 14 songs written for a new album. We're working on getting the drums recorded for all the new tracks (also a cover of Bohemian Rhapsody). The main players are still Rick, Vince and myself. Jimmy Schultz is the drummer we're working with now. Chances are I will do all the guitars, but bring in some guests for additional solos here and there, although that might change before all is said and done... "



Review:


Quote:
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!
Tracklist:

1. Trickery Of The Scourge
2. When I Remake The World (A Key Flaw)
3. 911
4. Chariots Of The Gods
5. The Tree Of Knowledge
6. 666 Is Everywhere (The Heavy Metal Blues)
7. Oleander Deux
8. Aliens, Spaceships And Richard M. Nixon
9. Through Time And Space
10. Funeral For Art
11. Call Of Katahdin
12. Transformation Staircase
13. 1984 (George Orwell Is Rolling In His Grave)