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
