Metallic Blue Records is unearthing the lost recordings from San Diego based 80s rockers INFRARED. Titled “Reflections“, the CD compiles the three recording sessions the band did between 1987-1989.
Since its inception in 1985 Infrared was a regular at local venues like the Bacchanal, the Spirit Club, and Iguana’s in Tijuana. Their brand of classic hard rock and mid-80s American Metal attracted many fans, and so will do this CD.
The band recorded its first professional demo in 1987, and after some line up changes, a second batch of new songs in 1988. Both are well recorded, and if you like the very first QUEENSRYCHE / 1984 trad metal sound, you’ll enjoy INFRARED. Lead singer Don DuZan is very Geoff Tate-ish, with a wide perfect pitch register. This is classic American metal with melody, and of course there’s reference to CRIMSON GLORY, HEIR APPARENT, VICIOUS RUMORS, BARREN CROSS, etc.
Looking for the elusive record deal, the band relocated to Los Angeles in 1989 and by their manager suggestion changed the band name to “Martial Law”, and recorded a 3-track demo with a more ‘LA sound’ but still metal. It’s well produced, they even made a video clip to try MTV.
The overall approach on that last recording as “Martial Law” is more melodic than the previous songs. At the time bassist Jim Woltz (who later was part of various bands) entered contributing songwriting, but being lead vocalist himself, also provided harmony vocals to DuZan’s already powerful pipes, creating an organic sound.
There’s a solid, interesting guitar work too both on the old and the new recordings, sharp rhythm riffs and swirling clean solos.
Infrared was part of the ’80s Californian overcrowded rock n’ roll scene – they tried hard to scale bigger success moving to LA, getting a good manager, they were fine musicians, they had well written & recorded songs, a music video clip, good looks… but the record deal escaped them, as happened with many good acts from the era which now, decades after, we’re able to discover thanks to these remasters / reissues.
Highly Recommended
Tracklist:
1. Ladies Of The Night (04:02)
2. Heading For A Fall (05:02)
3. Piece Of The Pie (05:32)
4. Through The Years (03:57)
5. BCA (Bill Collecting Agency) (03:27)
6. Teazer (03:41)
7. Last Chance For Love (03:51)
8. Reckless (02:52)
9. Cold Desire (02:36)
10. Fate (03:19)
11. Feel The Fire (03:12)
12. Vain Lady (03:50)
13. Fool's Gold (03:50)
Infrared – Reflections (2024), MP3+FLAC
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