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TALAS
Live Speed On Ice

Combat (1984)
Rating: 8/10

In case you’ve never heard the name before, Talas is the band formed by bass player extraordinaire Billy Sheehan. You might remember Sheehan from his short stint with UFO about a year ago? The band has the right idea releasing a live album, because the energy they release is ecstatic. There’s a new line-up on the LP; all are gone but Sheehan, obviously. The new members are Phil Naro (vocals, ex-Chain Reaction / Sass), Mitch Perry (guitar) and Mark Miller (drums). But the new crew will be as faceless as the last, because Sheehan is Talas! More than any band I’ve seen before, the bass player overpowers all. He is to the bass what Yngwie Malmsteen is to the guitar. To put it mildly, the man is a genius. His bass solos on the new album are a refreshing relief to these played out ears, especially in these days of assembly line metal.

The band hails from upstate New York and the Canadian influences are evident. You can note a lot of early Rush on cuts like ‘Do You Feel Any Better’; very similar to what Killer Dwarfs try to do on their LP. We get treated to more new material such as ‘Lone Rock’ and ’Inner Mounting Flame’ which are great in spite of shabby production. And check out the bass on a cut called ‘The Farandole’, quite impressive.

Sheehan blends in his old hard rock influences with today’s faster paced metal and the outcome is positive. Good songwriting is lacking these days, but not here. Unfortunately, the only true way to enjoy Talas is to see them live. I hate to use more clichés than needed but you have to see Sheehan to believe him. If he could only come up with a band that is as equally as talented as himself it would be the super band of the future. Nonetheless, get hold of Live Speed On Ice and treat yourself to an awesome talent.

Philip DiBenedetto

Review taken from Metal Forces, Issue 3 (1984)

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