I like Thrash metal, me. If thrash metal was food, I'd eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If Thrash was a sport, I'd buy all the pay per view events. I like Thrash, Blackened Thrash, Progressive Thrash, Death/Thrash, Crossover. I love the cheapest Pizza Thrash to the most Technical Thrash. I love hi-tops, snap backs, battle vests and skateboards. I just dig the stuff. So inevitably when Infrared return with a new album I'm definitely going to have more than a passing interest. Blasting their way out of Ottawa, Infrared are amongst the old boys of the exciting Canadian scene. Despite forming waaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1985 and dropping their R.I.P (Recognition In Power) demo in 1988 they spent a number of years without a major release. That is until their 2016 debut full album 'No Peace', they followed this up 2 years later with the release of their sophomore effort 'Saviours'. Now with 'From The Black Swamp' the Infrared guys join a number of other great Canadian thrash bands such as Cathartic Demise, Crimson Caliber and Ripp'd in releasing very good thrash in 2021.

We love a comparison in the music world, so where are these guys coming from? Its solid, straight down the line old school thrash metal. The influences are all there. You name them, Slayer, Testament, Metallica etc are all clearly referenced on 'From The Black Swamp'. If we wanted to be critical we could argue that these guys aren't breaking any new ground or taking thrash to new levels. But quite frankly I couldn't give a shit. What they are doing is taking us on a riff filled, gang-vocaled trip to thrashville, so strap yourselves in coz its gonna be a bumpy ride!!! The neck snapping begins immediately with the tubthumping opener 'Tribal Junction'. What a kick ass way to open an album. Power chord after power chord, riff after riff. My tiny brain is already screaming mooooooooore!!!! And more they give us with the Slayeresque third track 'Lockdown'. Its like we've just moved to 80's Bay Area and we're reliving the beginnings of thrash. Like I said, nothing ground breaking here but its crushingly good fun!

Track 4 'Left Lane Fuck' is an absolute gem. Full of lyrical metaphors and yet extremely satirical, who said thrashers were dumb? And oh man the solo and riffs here drip like honey from the finger tips of Gidley, I have to admit I've had this track on heavy rotation. Seriously, you'll be dusting off that air guitar in no time. As we rocket towards the title track and halfway point of the album it has become obvious that these guys compliment each other beautifully. From the blend of Kamal's Araya style vocals to Groulx splendid double peddle work, these guys are tight and must be something to behold in a live setting, I'd give anything to 'mosh' the hell out of few unsuspecting moshers in the pit. 'Evil Ascent' moves us into the second half of the album with an interesting drum led intro and something of a crossover style bassline akin to Anthrax or Illegal Corpse. Track 8 'Blood & Sweat' get us in full stage diving mode with rapid fire riffs, blurred double pedalling and roaring gang vocals, almost broke my collar bone diving from the top of the tall boy onto the sofa...

I could go on...but its really just more of the same. Which is no bad thing! In a year that has seen some truly excellent thrash albums from the likes of Enforced, Nekromantheon and Killing it is difficult to stand out of a very saturated market. The old school keep throwing out the odd album, which always get named as best thrash album even when blatantly they're not, so its hard to make any inroads. Infrared are a solid, no that's unfair, are a very good OSTM band and this album really helps to punctuate this. Is this in my top 10 thrash albums of the year? Well, no. In fact it wasn't even my favourite thrash album the week it was released. However, what it is, is damn good thrashing fun! And with the world in its current plight we all need some damn good thrashing fun and Infrared can most certainly provide it.

I love Thrash Metal, me.