TRAITOR (US) – Shot Down ’85 [Lost Realm Records remixed & remastered] (2024) *HQ*

Lost Realm Records takes us back to mid-Eighties California with a reissue of a rare record that’s highly sought after by collectors around the world: “Shot Down“, the 1986 opus by five-piece TRAITOR, fully remastered.
Formed in 1984 in Bellflower, California, TRAITOR began their short-lived career with the release of the one-sided flexi-single “Feel The Steel” that same year. In the following year, they would release the mini-album “Shot Down” containing a total of five original songs, which takes us unquestionably to some of the best US Metal made independently in the 80s.
Now we have the first ever official reissue of “Shot Down” on CD. A limited edition with the quality that Lost Realm Records has accustomed you to. This reissue feature the 5 songs from the original “Shot Down” version released in 1985, as well as an alternative mix version, never released before.

The disc starts brilliantly with “The Way It Used To Feel”, a Heavy Metal hymn of pure US Melodic Metal that dominated the rock universe in mid-80s. Vocal lines are excellent, the twin guitars too and the driving rhythm makes the listener to bang his head up and down. “Have You Ever” continues with powerful vocals but a more midtempo melody with heavy guitars and nice chorus.
The next three songs will convince everyone want to explore Traitor’s music: the catchy as hell trio of “Feel The Steel”, “Traitor” and “Shot Down” are perfect examples of melodic US metal from the Eighties.

The alternative mix / remix makes things sound more commercial, more’ hard rock’ as it was popular at the time, think early Dokken. A worthy addition to the reissue – this remix will please many listeners.
Highly Recommended

01 – The Way It Used To Feel (Original Mix)
02 – Have You Ever (Original Mix
03 – Feel The Steel (Original Mix)
04 – Traitor (Original Mix)
05 – Shot Down (Original Mix)
06 – The Way It Used To Feel (Alternative Mix)
07 – Have You Ever (Alternative Mix)
08 – Feel The Steel (Alternative Mix)
09 – Traitor (Alternative Mix)
10 – Shot Down (Alternative Mix)

Lead Vocals – Tim Karr
Lead Guitar – Carlos Gastelum
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Brian James
Bass, Vocals – Truman James
Drums – John Gonzales

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