Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus - Mirror
by Keith How
published: 19 / 4 / 2017

Label:
Occultation Recordings
Format: LP
intro
Inspirational second album from the enigmatic Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus, which, originally released in 1991 only on CD and cassette, is now being reissued for the first time on vinyl
Originally released in 1991 only on CD and cassette, the Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus' second album 'Mirror' is being re-released for the first time on vinyl. 'Mirror' sounds as fresh and timeless as on the day of release just like the faith it represents! The album opens with a hypnotic invitation in 'Shadowlands'. With a sense of early Pink Floydian atmospherics found on 'The Valley' an angelic voice whispers over an insistent beat. This is the Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus, elusive and partially hidden, eseoteric and shrouded in mystery. 'Immaculado' follows, which is an apocalyptic gentle folk prayer. Emotional and beautiful, this huge composition climaxes with a frenzied saxophone and wild flute in an intense mix of swirling noise. 'Mirror' is a profound work. To try and capture this wonderful eclectic combination of Orthodox spiritual influences, Middle Eastern rhythms, industrial noises and ethereal chants in words is quite difficult. At times it appears that you are in an isolated monastery, and a long forgotten ancient liturgy is coming from some hidden cloisters inviting you into a spiritually-charged atmosphere. Then 'Le Mondeo du Silence' hits you with a pulsating dance beat and sacred chant bringing the sense of Sufi-like ecstasy. The release of only their third “proper” album 'Beauty Will Save the World' appeared as if by magic last year. Many devotees (myself included) considered this to be something of a second coming. and listening to “Mirror” is equally as inspiring and entrancing. 'Nostalgia' has a mysterious psalm-like vocal before flowing in an Eastern European vibe that could work easily as a film soundtrack. There really is nothing quite like the Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus. Multi-layered atmospheres, snatches of liturgy, film dialogue, sacred imagery along with a contemporary sound scape all fit together to blur the boundaries between sacred and secular. 'Psalm' is a holy choir with a brutal electronics and monastic bell leading into 'Nativity' upon which a sampled voice repeats a mantra amidst pounding percussion. This is heady, impressive stuff. The obvious timelessness and beauty found on 'Mirror' is a journey I can highly recommend. The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus have created an iconography of their own to open a window for the modern world to catch a glimpse of eternity.
Track Listing:-
1 Shadowlands2 Inmaculado
3 Joy Of The Cross
4 Hymn To Dionysus
5 Nostalgia
6 Thême De "L'Homme Qui Ne Croyait Pas En Lui-Meme"
7 Psalm
8 Nativity
9 Man Of Sorrows
10 Thême Reprise
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Revolutionary-Army-of-the-Infant-Jehttps://twitter.com/raijofficial
https://www.instagram.com/revolutionaryarmy_raij/
Label Links:-
http://www.occultation.co.uk/https://www.facebook.com/OccultationRecordings/
https://www.youtube.com/user/OccultationRecs
https://plus.google.com/+OccultationRecs
Have a Listen:-
interviews |
Interview (2020) |
![]() |
The mysterious and elusive Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus discuss their new pair of albums with Keith How. |
Interview (2017) |
bandcamp
soundcloud
reviews |
Devotion to a Noble Ideal (2025) |
![]() |
New vinyl only EP from the elusive Liverpool-based group The Revolutionary Army of the Infant Jesus which offers three remixes and one new track |
Songs of Yearning/Nocturnes (2020) |
Beauty Will Save the World (2015) |
most viewed articles
current edition
Peter Doherty - Blackheath Halls, Blackheath and Palace Halls, Watford, 18/3/2025 and 21/3/2025Armory Show - Interview with Richard Jobson
Liz Mitchell - Interview
Lauren Mayberry - Photoscapes
Deb Googe and Cara Tivey - Interview
Max Bianco and the BlueHearts - Troubadour, London, 29/3/2025
Maarten Schiethart - Vinyl Stories
Sukie Smith - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Kim Wilde - Photoscapes
most viewed reviews
current edition
Davey Woodward - Mumbo in the JumboNigel Stonier - Wolf Notes
Wings - Venus and Mars
Only Child - Holy Ghosts
Kate Daisy Grant and Nick Pynn - Songs For The Trees
Neil Campbell - The Turnaround
Philip Jeays - Victoria
Darkness - Dreams On Toast
Suzanne Vega - Flying With Angels
Charles Ellsworth - Cosmic Cannon Fodder
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart