Los Angeles Metal outfit PONTIUS PROPHET was the band formulated following the demise of AGENT STEEL. Following a successful run of albums, closing with 'Unstoppable Force' in March 1987, the band fragmented. Singer John Cyriis (a.ka. John Campos) forged PONTIUS PROPHET alongside AGENT STEEL colleagues guitarists Juan Garcia and Michael Hill with Chuck Profus on drums. A solitary demo was recorded under the PONTIUS PROPHET brand, the two track 'Rites Of Hatred' during 1988.

Prior to their term with AGENT STEEL, both Cyriis and Garcia had worked with ABATTOIR. The vocalist's earlier outfits included SCEPTRE. When PONTIUS PROPHET folded, Garcia journeyed through EVIL DEAD and TERROR before resurrecting AGENT STEEL for the comeback album 'The Omega Conspiracy'.