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Iron Monkey, we hardly knew ye. England’s answer to Eyehategod released two full-lengths, a self-titled debut and Our Problem, then broke up in 1999. Earache recently collected these records into a 2-CD set along with bonus tracks and extra liner notes.
Normally I have little patience with Eyehategod clones. But Iron Monkey had enough individuality and talent to convert me. Although they had the same general ingredients as Eyehategod — metal, punk, blues — they felt different. Instead of the sweltering American South, they channeled English misery: rainy weather, crap food, poor dental hygiene. Johnny Morrow’s scathing vocals added grit and desperation. (He died of a heart attack in 2002; it’s haunting to hear a dead man sing.) Even when laidback, the band sounded anxious. Its first album was rudimentary, but its second was delightful. The band had learned to play in time and construct actual songs. Our Problem suggests that had the band continued, it would have explored faster, punkier territory. Instead, it exited on an exhilaratingly depressing note. (Historical aside: these albums feature some of Andy Sneap’s earliest productions, long before he invented modern metal’s sterile sound.)
The best part of this reissue is the new liner notes. Guitarist Steve Watson recounts how the band was so poor, it could barely afford its own instruments. He also tells of Earache’s courtship, in which the label had to allay fears that Iron Monkey would have to tour with bands like Morbid Angel. His liner notes have much pathos and humility, and are a joy to read. It’s a shame that so many albums now lack proper liner notes. Back in the day, jazz albums got journalists to write essays. The backs of LP sleeves were perfect canvases for this art. Now we get Photoshop horrors on tiny CD booklets or nothing at all with MP3’s. Fenriz’ liner notes are why the last two Darkthrone albums are practically the only CD’s I’ve bought in the last few years. The way things are going, in five years none of us will buy CD’s.
I don't get all the acolades for that Clubroot album all I hear is hip hop,I'm into all types of music – metal being the most prominent, how do you people get into that?
Dubstep is pretty referential, so I suppose getting the references help. Also, its distortion and atmospherics share some common frequencies with metal, so maybe that's where the "accolades" come from.
Iron Monkey's 1st ep is essential!
I got this a while back. It's a great release and like you've said, the liner notes are a great read.
I dearly hope that CDs aren't abolished because there are too few bands and artists that take the time to construct a package to complete their musical work.
When you get one and take the time out of your day to put the record on and listen from start to finish, you get a true musical experience; the way the album was meant to be experienced. None of this 'odd track here-and-there on your mp3 player on the way to work' rubbish.
I'm glad there's some people left that appreciate that music isn't just something you listen to; it's the way it's presented as well. If more people realised this, the music industry could get back on its' feet and all those under-appreciated bands that never get the chance to release another record get that opportunity.