Infrared – ‘Manifestation’

Thrash

Independent Release

Infrared hail from the Canadian capital of Ottawa They were formed in the mid 80’s but split in 1990 before reforming in 2014 and that line-up has been together ever since. They wear their thrash metal roots and influences on their sleeves and there’s no mistaking those influences but they do not parody those influences.

Kicking off with ‘Cataclysm’, a two-minute instrumental just to soften you up they go tearing into ‘Temple Of Sin’ without any warning. This is old school thrash of the highest order bringing Slayer, Anthrax and Testament to mind and just like Slayer they don’t hang about on a riff for too long before they slash you open with another then another. ‘Nikko’ eases back on the throttle a bit and shows the band can do melody especially in the vocals with all four members providing a voice. Latest single ‘Demon’s Blood’ crushes under Mike Forbes grinding bass line as singer/guitarist Armin Kamal is equal parts Chuck Billy and Tom Araya. ‘Pressure Syndrome’ offers up some Anthrax bounce then we get another brief instrumental to catch our breath before the visceral ‘Manifest Nation’ where drummer Alain Groulx batters the living shyte out anything that resembles a drum! ‘Concuss’ brings a shed load of chug which will induce a shed load of headbangin’ no doubt, oh and it will get the crowd shouting the very simple chorus of ‘Concuss, Concuss, Concuss’. Things get a bit more technical on ‘Reforma’ then we go hell for leather on ‘My Dreams Are Real’. Mike Forbes’ bass is front and centre again on the intro to ‘Parasite Patrol’ before the guitars come from behind him and start to hack and slash at you whilst Kamal barks the orders. Final cut ‘Then The Earth Goes Black’ has a melodic start before they crush you with a barrage of riffs before going back and forth to the melodic lines.

The mention of the influential bands is just to give you an idea because these guys have their own style and sound. It is most definitely rooted in the old school Bay Area but with plenty of fresh ideas and some astounding songs. Heavy, fast, aggressive but with catchy melodies and some excellent guitar work. 42 minutes of superb thrash.

Track List –

Cataclysm

Temple Of Sin

Nikko

Demon’s Blood

Pressure Syndrome

The Manifest

Manifest Nation

Concuss

Reforma

My Dreams Are Real

Parasite Patrol

When The Earth Goes Black