Artist: Talas
Label: Metal Blade
UPC: 039841579468
Genre: Hard Rock
Release Date: 9/23/2022

Throw on 1985 and it only takes a few seconds of opening track "Inner Mounting Flame" to make it abundantly clear that Talas are back, and sounding every bit as good as in their heyday. Formed in the early 70s and dissolved in 1985, they may have never reached arena-headlining status but they were an integral part of the early 80s hard rock scene, and their long awaited return does not disappoint. "The time was right and we were all into it, no one needed any convincing, we were all instantly excited to do it," explains bassist Billy Sheehan, who is rejoined by drummer Mark Miller and powerhouse vocalist Phil Naro, as well as new recruit Kire Najdovski on guitar. "It's like we never stopped - everything fell together so easily. It was quite wonderful." Now they return with 1985, 11 tracks of classic hard rock, picking up where they left off, and it is a release that will have old school fans salivating and new followers fired up with its big riffs, seductive choruses and killer soloing - basically everything that could be wanted from a Talas record.

With all but one song - "Black And Blue" - written in 1985, the album would have been their fourth full-length had they not split, and while they have worked hard to get the best out of them they have not tampered with the tracks or given them a modern twist, letting them live in the era in which they were created. "We wanted a snapshot of our musical life from 1985," explains Sheehan. "It's the same spirit, mostly the same people, and it's bringing the 80s into 2022. The 80s were an amazing time for music and bands, and we were all excited to go back to that, and I would say the record is raw, real, honest, and exhilarating." With the romping "I'll Take The Night" and "Don't Try To Stop Me Tonight" sitting alongside the groovier likes of "Do You Feel Any Better?" and the dirty swagger of "Close To The Killer", there are a lot of flavors on the record, and all of them delectable, every track maintaining a high standard. Najdovski may be relatively new to the band, but his playing is pure Talas. "He's a great player with great ideas and a joy to work with. Phil had worked with him previously, so I trusted his judgement, and it worked out perfectly." The band also welcomed former guitarist Mitch Perry to appear on the record, playin