\m/ 80's metal \m/

Review

Intended as the band's third demo tape, Infinity has been re-released by the band as a means of putting older material into the hands of their fans. The first four songs were originally recorded in 1991. The last song was recorded in 1998 but was never released. The liner notes remark that the band has always thought of this as their first album. The album is very hard to find but, as you'll read below, worth the effort of tracking it down.

What I found amazing on this disc is that the complexity of the song structures on Kadeth Decoded is also present in the early material. The songs are busy and multi-layered and full of atmosphere. These guys are stellar musicians and play as a unit so very well. The instrumental track, "Unison", is a beautiful duet between the piano and flute that shows the outstanding talent of the players. The play is not just technical and precise, it is full of emotion and mood. All too frequently the technically proficient musicians crank out music that is lifeless despite its technical merits. Payne's Gray avoid that particular pitfall and produce music that is impassioned and razor sharp. The music doesn't sit still for a moment. The direction changes several times. The guitars crunch and grind, the keys dance all around and the vocals are all over the scale from soaring to subtle. The music is almost surreal or ethereal at points. Taken as a whole, it makes for a wonderful means of escapism.

"...To End Infinity" is a great moody rocker. "Crystal Palace" hints at the bigger and grander theme of Kadeth Decoded with its lyrical content. "The Duellists" is a haunting, atmospheric track. "Unison", as already mentioned, is a beautiful little instrumental arrangement. "The Peak" is one of those songs that pounds at you relentlessly with its power.

If you're tired of the numerous lifeless, cookie cutter Dream Theater clones that churn out album after stale album, Payne's Gray might be the relief you seek.

Satan Stole My Teddybear

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