Axl Rose has nothing on Infrared.  Chinese Democracy took 11 years to record.  Infrared’s debut album, No Peace, which was released in 2016, took 27 years.

The songs were written during the band’s time at Cairine Wilson Secondary school. In Orleans, Ontario, and then, as their press release says, “life happened and members took different paths and the music, that was hot in the underground metal scene and loved by demo tape traders near and far, went dormant for 27 years!”  Fast-forward to 2015.  The guys (Alain Groulx on drums, Armin Kamal on vocals and guitar, Kirk Gidley on guitar and Mike Forbes on bass) all ended up in the same town and decided to resurrect the tunes they had written all those years ago.

Listening to these songs is a walk down Memory Lane for me.  I remember seeing these guys play around town and I believe at a high school talent show. (Or maybe that was Nympho Fred!  Did they get shut down?  Help me out here all you Orleans folks.)

These songs are 27 years old which means they were written at the time of The Big 4’s (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax) rise to power.

It is easy to hear that Infrared were influenced by the aforementioned bands…and there’s nothing wrong with that.  No Peace grabs you by the balls from the first power chords of Inframental and doesn’t let up until the final note of In Search Of.

No Peace is a no frills, in your face thrash album.  If you’ve ever listened to early Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax, this album is right up your alley.

Kamal and Gidley wail like the thrashers of the 80s.  Forbes and Groulx are an exceptional rhythm section.  The songs are fast, powerful and thought provoking.  It’s just good, new old-school thrash from a new, old band.

Inframental – The album’s first track is the perfect start to the album.  It sets the tone perfectly for what follows.  Rapid fire drumming and a steady dose of power chords get this tune moving in the right direction.

Social Science – Rippin’ lead work by Kamal on this one.  This song has a very Kill ‘Em All feel to it.  Tons of changes, great rhythm playing and Groulx is a beast on this track.

Cliche – IN YOUR FACE!!!  Fast, aggressive, to the point.  The shortest song with lyrics on the album, this one just plows.  Love it!!

Some Kinda Disease – Another quick one, by metal standards.  This one features Gidley’s first solo of the CD…and he rips it. This is my favorite on the album.  It just takes me back to the 80s.  Kamal’s vocals are insane.

Down Below -Great double lead, with Kamal shredding first and Gidley finishing it off.  Infrared is not shy when it comes to soloing.  Chunky, powerful chord changes make this one a keeper.

Untimely Storm – Starting slow with a nice bluesy solo from Kamal, Storm builds up and just rips your head off.  This is what thrash was meant to be…long, fast and mean tune filled with massive guitar riffs and ridiculous drumming (I wouldn’t want to be Groulx playing all these songs live.)

Thoughts Caught – See above.  This is the song I remember the most from the 80s when they were playing in Ottawa.  Here’s the video from 1988.  Lots of hair, lots of headbanging, lots of fun.

In Search Of – A quick little instrumental to finish things off.  A great wrap up  to a stellar album.

Infrared

Armin Kamal – Guitar, Vocals

Kirk Gidley – Guitar

Mike Forbes – Bass

Alain Groulx – Drums

Links

Website: http://infraredmetal.ca/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infraredmetal/?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/infraredmetal

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu_seDR7aEY6XP2qiM-cKLg