If you’re longing for Slayer shows that start later this month, then allow us to suggest that you listen to Canada’s Infrared to tide you over.
“Cataclysm” revs itself up with a touch of the epic, but “Temple Of Sin” gets itself into the moshpit good and proper.
Thunderous stuff abounds. “Nikko” is heavier, the guitars Slash and burn on “Demon’s Blood” though in a very classic thrash way.
Armin Kamal on vocals also produces this and his vision is not just a facsimile of what’s gone before. There’s enough in “Pressure Syndrome” and the likes to keep it fresh.
“The Manifest” slow builds, before it’s partner piece “Manifest Nation” cuts loose. “Concuss” probably would, as Kirk Gidley lays down another riff, and if “Reforma” is from the more modern end of things, it’s melody is delivered with a knuckle duster.
The sweet spot of this record through is when they deliver thrash from the heavier end of the spectrum, as they do on “My Dreams Are Real” (think Death Angel if you want a reference point).
It even does it all one last time with “Then The Earth Goes Black”, which slows things down, and on so doing comes with some real menace.
“Manifestation” underlines again though, just how many thrash bands there are, but it proves also that Infrared are a cut above most.
Rating 8/10
