AGENT STEEL Vocalist JOHN CYRIIS' S.E.T.I. Confirmed For HEADBANGERS OPEN AIR Festival

S.E.T.I., a band fronted by original AGENT STEEL vocalist John Cyriis, has been confirmed for this year's edition of the Headbangers Open Air festival, set to take place July 28-30, 2011 in Brande-Hrnerkirchen, Germany.

"We've been trying hard in the past and finally got it," says festival co-organizer Thomas Tegelhtter. "John Cyriis with his new band S.E.T.I. will perform a classic AGENT STEEL show at Headbangers Open Air. John is in a fantastic mood rehearsing with his new band. This will be his very first show with S.E.T.I."

AGENT STEEL is a speed metal band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1984. They released two classic full-length albums and one EP with Cyriis on vocals "Skeptics Apocalypse" (1985),"Mad Locust Rising" EP (1985) and "Unstoppable Force" (1987) before disbanding in 1988. Cyriis' high-pitched vocals and lyrical topics of UFO's, alien abductions, differential anthropology, etc., were unique signature trademarks not often heard in heavy metal songwriting at the time.

AGENT STEEL later reformed in 1999 without Cyriis but diehard underground metal fans have been holding out hopes for a reunion ever since his departure.

Cyriis returned to the group in 2010 after a 23-year absence and performed at the Thrash Domination festival in Tokyo last September. The singer's appearance with AGENT STEEL at Keep It True festival in Germany in April 2011 was cancelled. Instead, the rest of the bandmembers performed under the moniker MASTERS OF METAL with replacement singer Rick Mythiasin (STEEL PROPHET). The band performed with Cyriis fronting the band again at this year's Sweden Rock Festival in June.

"We are very proud to present a real legend on the billing for this year's Headbangers Open Air," adds festival co-organizer Jrgen Hegewald. "Nobody less than the great John Cyriis playing a full classic AGENT STEEL set of speed metal anthems from the first two albums. Let's get enchanted by this magical show and prepare to 'Bleed For The Godz!'"

S.E.T.I. was added to the Headbangers Open Air festival billing after MELIAH RAGE was forced to pull out of the event due to problems with vocalist Paul Souza.

The festival billing is as follows (in alphabetical order):

ASTRAL DOORS (SWE)
BARON ROJO (ESP)
BEHLER (CAN)
BON SCOTT (GER)
CIRCLE II CIRCLE (USA)
CRYSTAL VIPER (PL)
EVIL ONE (F)
FATES WARNING (USA)
GAMA BOMB (IRE)
JAGUAR (UK)
LEVIATHAN (USA)
METAL INQUISITOR (GER)
MORE (UK)
REZET (GER)
S.E.T.I. (USA/EU)
SKULL FIST (CAN)
SLOUGH FEG (USA)
SPARTAN WARRIOR (UK)
STORMWARRIOR feat. KAI HANSEN (GER)
STRIKER (CAN)
SYRON VANES (SWE)
TIERRA SANTA (ESP)
TOKYO BLADE (UK/GER)
TORCH (SWE)
VULCAIN (F)

An after-show concert will take place on July 31 at the Lauschbar club in Itzehoe, Germany, which is located directly across the street from co-organizer Jrgen Hegewald's legendary Hellion Records shop. Bands performing are STRIKER, MORE, BEHLER and SYRON VANES.

2010's Headbangers Open Air festival sold out. Tickets still remain for this year's event but it is best advised to purchase them in advance. Visit www.headbangers-open-air.de for more information.