SOLDIER (Utah) – Stereo [Metallic Blue Records remaster] (2025) *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

Some time ago we featured the Metallic Blue Records remastered version of “My Window”, the debut 1987 album from American melodic rockers SOLDIER. There was a few acts with this name at the time, this SOLDIER hails from Utah, and after three years playing gigs in the area, in the summer of 1985 the band decided to move out to Los Angeles to get more exposure and to seek a record deal.
In the spring of 1986, SOLDIER recorded their first batch of songs and stopped in Las Vegas for six months where they picked up a second guitarist, while traveled back and forth from Nevada and Utah as they finished up the mastering process on their newly recorded tracks. Once completed, SOLDIER put them on their debut release, “My Window.” The cassette sold quite well in Utah and Nevada.
The band headed further west to Los Angeles and the famous Sunset Strip to see if they could build on their success. SOLDIER played all over Hollywood, including Gazzarris, The Troubadour, FM Station, The Roxy, and The Whisky a Go Go. At the end of 1988 / early 1989 SOLDIER entered into the studio for the recording of the 2nd album, mainly sold by themselves in limited copies.
Now Metallic Blue Records is reissuing SOLDIER’s 2nd, and this, third and final album “Stereo“. Recorded 1990-1991, for “Stereo” SOLDIER showcases a different style, a mature sound, some kind of a mix between ’80s RUSH, HONEYMOON SUITE, and ZEBRA, all with a crisp production.

After their second album recorded at the end of the Eighties, also reissued by Metallic Blue Records under the title ‘Soldier Of Fortune’, some band members were looking to return to the band’s light progressive / pompy origins.
And that’s what they did on “Stereo”: melodic and proggy but still melodic, songs like ‘Journey’s End’, ‘Corporate Blue’ or ‘Portraits’ show a pretty different style approach, and very interesting for sure.

That elusive record deal never crystallized and with the musical industry rapidly changing interests, SOLDIER disbanded circa 1992.
If you already heard their previous melodic hard rock album, you’ll be surprised by this final CD ”Stereo”, almost a completely different band style, with interesting songs and elaborated arrangements.
Highly Recommended

01 – Stereo (Remastered)
02 – Future [Stereo Version] (Remastered)
03 – Life [Stereo Version] (Remastered)
04 – Can’t Stand Still [Stereo Version] (Remastered)
05 – Journey’s End (Remastered)
06 – Corporate Blue (Remastered)
07 – Rock and Roll (Remastered)
08 – Long Time Till Yesterday (Remastered)
09 – Portraits (Remastered)
10 – Don’t Judge Us (Remastered)
11 – Who Are You? (Remastered)
12 – Downtown (Remastered)

Jed Bradshaw – Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Bass, Synth Bass
Brian Kirby – Guitar, Synth, Backing Vocals
Clayton Austin – Guitar, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Keyboards, Piano
Bobby Biggs – Drums (Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 & 12)
Marshall Woodson – Drums (Tracks 3, 7, 8 & 12)

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metallicbluerecords.com/products/soldier-stereo-cd
www.eonianrecords.com/new-products-s/soldier-stereo