Sometimes, even if you’ve contemplated about it before, it still remains fascinating how rich and vast was the ‘’pool’’ of bands of US Power Metal (USPM), especially in the ‘80’s.
Even today, more than 40 years after the beginning of that ‘’golden’’ decade, new unknown recordings emerge and meticulous labels shed light on amazing forgotten material from several bands, which for numerous reasons didn’t manage to get a contract with a major label, thus, most of them were led to a dissolvement / split up. The bands and their moniker remained to obscurity, although they had recorded really good music, even if that was only in demos or independent / DIY releases.
Hopefully, today, there are serious labels, who really adore that ‘’golden’’ era and heavy metal itself in its prime and literally ‘’dig up’’ on all relative material, finding old master-tapes in forgotten warehouses or contacting with some old members, that today, sometimes, they have nothing to do with music professionally. Many times, that procedure, is a heavy burden, since it is not uncommon that old members of the line-up are no longer in life.
One such case of a band, are INFRARED from San Diego, California. The band played inspiring USPM and classic heavy metal, in the vein of early QUEENSRŸCHE, CRIMSON GLORY, HEIR APPARENT, VICIOUS RUMORS and early era FATES WARNING. They were called INFRARED after the QUEENSRŸCHE’s song ‘’I Dream In Infrared’’.
It is not an exaggeration to mention that their ‘’case’’ has been, until today, one of the ‘’best kept secrets’’ from the ‘80’s US Metal scene. The moment these lines are being written, an entry about the band still does not exist in Encyclopaedia Metallum: The Metal Archives.
INFRARED, in their short period of ‘’band life’’ from 1983 to 1989, underwent several changes in their line-up but I’d say although they had really good musicians that were members in the band, the ‘’key – players’’ were the guitarist Jason Sweeny and the great vocalist Don Duzan, whose voice sounded amazingly similar to Geoff Tate’s of QUEENSRŸCHE voice.
The material presented in this release, is deriving from two recordings in 1987 and 1989 and is consisted of 10 songs. INFRARED changed their name in 1989 in MARTIAL LAW and recorded a three-track demo, which is also included as bonus tracks. All the material has been remastered and sounds amazing.
I really find it difficult to describe how special this release is. You need to prepare yourselves for a masterpiece. All songs are really great. I don’t say it very often but this is a must-buy album. Especially USPM fans of the early QUEENSRŸCHE era are going to adore it.
Inspiring songs, excellent anthems and a heavenly voice make ‘’Reflections’’ a real gem of a release and I would like to send sincere congratulations to Metallic Blue Records.
Make yourselves a favour and go grab this forgotten jewel. You thank me, later.
‘’Reflections’’ has been released on the 11th of October 2024 by Metallic Blue Records and is available on CD.
_____________________________________________________________________
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
