Tuesday 14 April 2020

ALBUM REVIEW: Eye Flys, "Tub of Lard"

By: Peter Morsellino

Album Type: Full Length
Date Released: 20/03/2020
Label: Thrill Jockey Records



“Tub of Lard” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1). Tubba Lard
2). Guillotine
3). Predator and Prey
4). Not Ready for Tomorrow
5). Reality Tunnel
6). Nice Guy
7). Chapel Perilous
8). Extraterrestrial Memorandum
9). BLS
10). Perception is Gamble

The Review:

We are living in strange, troubling times. Times when people are uncertain of their futures, unsure of their safety and health. And yet out of Philadelphia comes Eye Flys, who somehow thought it to be the perfect time to release this irresponsibly heavy album, when the world needs peace and reassurance more than ever before. For shame!  Shame on Eye Flys, shame on Thrill Jockey Records for providing them an outlet, and shame on myself for loving every minute of it.

“Tub of Lard”, the debut full length from the Philadelphia quartet, is an exercise in brutality from start to finish.  On first listen, I came very close to breaking out a window from sheer excitement and the urge to break into a full mosh. It's that kind of record.  A familiar hardcore attitude is coupled perfectly with the cacophonous noise of modern sludge, creating a sound that demands your time and energy. With grooves that are just as hook filled as they are destructive, I find it hard to imagine what metal head would not be into this album.

Kicking off with the (almost) eponymous banger, “Tubba Lard”, Eye Flys begins crushing skulls from the get go. With very little preparation or warning, this album jumps right into a full-fledged mosh fest. Seriously, be aware of your surroundings when you start this bad boy up. You don't want any accidents to occur when the groove overcomes you. Right from the start, Eye Flys decides on the brutal beating that it will deliver and does not waver throughout the album's torturously brief twenty five minute run time.  Really that's my one complaint. Every track on this album is a winner, and I could do with a few more of them. I guess I like the abuse.

If you like heavy-ass, brawl inducing musical destruction, then “Tub of Lard” is most definitely worth a listen.  If you are especially prone to anger and violent outbursts in this odd, frightening nightmare we are living in, then I'd have to say give it a month or so. This one is not to be overlooked. Give a listen, but listen responsibly.


“Tub of Lard” is available HERE



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