EQUUS – Equus ’85 [Pride & Joy Music Classixx Vol. 8] (2024) *HQ*

In your search for the less famous but equally brilliant AOR heroes, sometimes you discover some outstanding bands that never got a second chance and remains into obscurity.
In 1980, four high school friends from Ontario, Canada started a band called EQUUS. In 1985 the group had produced a mini-LP that started to get airplay in and around their hometown, and followed it up with two more singles in 1986. Along the way EQUUS shared the stage with the likes of Helix, Gowan, and Blue Rodeo. Several shows occurred in 1992 and 2011 with the original core members.
Fast forward to 2024, and they find themselves “back on the horse” as they say. Enhanced and remastered by Paul Piccari (Hit The Ground Runnin’) the new & expanded ”Equus” album released by Pride & Joy Music Classixx contains the five fantastically sounding tracks from the original EP, and expanded tracks that continue this musical journey with two coming from their 1986 single, “You Decide” and “She’s Gone”.

Bonus tracks include a new recorded version of “Powerlife” and the unreleased tracks “If That What It Takes” and “Mother Earth”, that were recorded with some of the original lineup that captures the same passion energy and spiritual direction the band was exploring at that time.
Their musical style is definitely pomp but influenced by the AOR played on the radio in the mid-Eighties.

However, first track “Metal Man” although including really pompy keyboards and a melodious spirit, it’s a guitar-driven melodic rock song with many six-string channels in the mix. The lead vocals are constantly backed-up by a second voice and the guitars solo is quite heavy. A very ‘lively’ and interesting track.
“I’ll Be Waiting” is much more commercial with fluffy pompy keys and electronic drums. This one sounds like American bands Roadmaster or Bootcamp. “When You Gonna Find The Time” starts balladesquely slow but then increases the pace into a melodic midtempo with a big Eighties reverb.

On “Power Life” the band adds some mysterious keys and interesting arrangements to a song that in its essence is a simple and easy to the ears poppy AOR melody. “Think Of You” is the most radio-oriented track here, based on the rhythm of the persistent bass line. The high pitched sax included in the middle perfectly fits the melody and enriches the song.

EQUUS is a more than interesting unknown band & album creating an original blend of styles, but certainly into the AOR territory. For decades a collector’s item, now thanks to Pride & Joy Music Classixx we have the chance to listen this strong band, plus really good bonus tracks. Limited to 500 copies.
Highly Recommended

01 – Metal Man
02 – I’ll Be Waiting
03 – When You Gonna Find The Time
04 – Powerlife
05 – I’ll Think Of You
06 – You Decide (1986 Single)
07 – She’s Gone (1986 Single)
08 – Mother Earth (1990)
09 – If That’s What It Takes (2009)
10 – A Better Life (2023)

Cameron Grant: Vocals, Guitars
Danny Allen: Vocals, Drums
Ken Lucier: Bass
Peter Schaefer: Guitars, Vocals
Duncan Grant: Keyboards

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