Canadian (Ottawa) Thrashers INFRARED are back with their next album “Manifestation” out on September 6th to follow their highly praised 2021’s “From the Black Swamp”.
So far the band has released their first single “Demon’s Blood” and it is a prime example of Infrared‘s ability to blend their classic thrash roots with contemporary themes. The band has matured and refined their sound, delivering high-energy, concise tracks that resonate with both longtime fans and new listeners. With their polished performance and engaging stage presence, Infrared remains a force to be reckoned with in the metal world.
Infrared has been together for a long time (10 years with the current lineup) and is very in sync with each other musically. This experience together gives the audience a polished and professional-sounding band. Audience participation is always a part of an Infrared show with the crowd singing along during the choruses. They are recommended for fans of Slayer, Metallica, and Testament.
Many of the album’s themes are anxiety or fear-based, or based on toxic behaviours, whether interpersonal or at a global level. One of the songs even touches on the danger of AI, so there is some irony there between using AI for the album cover and then writing a fictitious future warning of its dangers. Musically, the album is high energy. While there are some mid-tempo songs and or sections, the album rips more often than not.
If Infrared sounds like classic thrash metal, that’s because they are! And rightfully so since they were making music as teenagers in the mid to late 80s back when the Big 4 (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax) were just becoming famous. They literally lived and breathed that scene as it was happening and garnered national attention in Canada through their song and video for Thoughts Caught (in Between).