...faster than the speed of light...
Thrash with melody
Unfortunately I have not all the information about HIRAX that I want. I first noticed this US-group when the appear on the compilation METAL MASSACRE with the song "Bombs Of Death". Even there was POSSESSED and DARK ANGEL on the same compilation, HIRAX had the fastest song on it! And instead of death-metal-growls there were melodic vocals to this extreme music. It really sounds interesting.
Later I heard a demo-tape of them which was recorded before METAL MASSACRE. The music wasnīt as fast more like good power-metal. I think they wanted to fit into the thrash-scene of the 80s and started play their songs twice as fast.
In 1985 their debut album RAGING VIOLENCE was released by METAL BLADE RECORDS. The sense of the coverartwork is still a secret to me but it was obvious that you have a metal-record in your hands. Is it a potatoe attacked by killer-rays?? Is it an egg with face exploding?? I really donīt know. It was painted by PUSHEAD who also worked for other bands (HARVESTER OF SORROW from METALLICA as example). The recording engineer was Bill Metoyer who is famous for the work for METAL BLADE.
Nearly all the tracks are under three minutes. They play so fast that sometimes they even donīt play together. But why is this album so great? Well, the vocals of Katon W. De Pena are great with strong melody lines and a lot of talent. The vocals are an extreme contrast to the ultrafast and heavy music. The guitar-riffs are classic and strong. The most negative parts are bass and drums. John Tabares (drums) canīt play the drums as fast as the songs really are and this sounds sometimes funny...
There are some highlights on RAGING VIOLENCE. First to mention is DEMONS EVIL FORCES which starts really groovy, mid-tempo, and then gets really fast. BOMBS OF DEATH was re-recorded for this album, also a lot faster than on METAL MASSACRE. Cool is DESTRUCTION AND TERROR which owns a strong guitar riff and a great vocal-line.
RAGING VIOLENCE was not very succesful but I saw a band a few years ago (SCEPTIC SENSE) who have covered BOMBS OF DEATH!
The next release was an 8-track e.p. named HATE, FEAR AND POWER (also METAL BLADE). Unfortunately I have this record without a cover. You can hear that they have a new drummer on it, a guy from DRI. The album has a very good sound and mostly strong songs. There are even grindcore-parts on it!! Just listen to LAST WAR....
I heard they made a single NOT DEAD YET after this e.p. but I never saw or listened to it. An ex-member formed a group with the name INSECTICIDE, who made a demotape.
The HIRAX logo was drawed by TOM G. WARRIOR of CELTIC FROST! Maybe they realized how superb his artwork for HELLHAMMERīs "Apocalyptic Raids" was.
The funniest thing was, that there were stickers with Katon on it wearing a shirt with the print "Posers will die!". You got them back in the 80s on metal-concerts here in Germany.
If anybody has the demo or the single please contact me, also if you have more information about this great band!
