By: Ernesto
Aguilar
Album Type: Full length
Date Released: 20/10/2017
Label: Relapse
Records
"9-13"
offers a shredding sludge attack and is a violent rejoinder of why Iron Monkey
got its reputation as a doom/sludge vanguard. All these years later, Iron
Monkey remains gritty and uncompromising. Predictions for a return were
invariably high. "9-13" does not blow those expectations out of the
water. Nor does Iron Monkey disappoint. For that, there's much to smile about.
“9-13” CD//DD//LP track listing
1.
Crown of Electrodes
2.
OmegaMangler
3.
9-13
4.
Toadcrucifier - R.I.P.PER
5.
Destroyer
6.
Mortarhex
7.
The Rope
8.
Doomsday Impulse Multiplier
9.
Moreland St. Hammervortex
The Review:
Sterling
though it is, Iron
Monkey has a name circulated mostly through lore. Its 1996 EP and
1998 full-length, honestly, came out when a fair number of metal fans were
children. Of those consciously watching sludge metal at the time, scores of
acts have since surpassed Iron Monkey and its sparse output. Yet the
notoriety of the band has lingered. Its brash and unfiltered metal through the
lungs of vocalist Johnny Morrow was,
for many, that blending of punk and metal that ensembles like Crass
or 45 Grave
were for fans in respective decades previous. Not that the UK crew gained
those levels of recognition, or are anywhere the same, but you get the idea:
something with an appeal that set it apart from others. After Iron Monkey
faded with the untimely death of Morrow
in 2002, you could assume the boys from Nottingham
would be little more than a faded memory or trivia at a punk club's quiz night.
Not so fast.
Following
a nearly 20-year break hastened by the death of its lead singer, Iron Monkey
return to take up the accolades the group never received in its heyday.
Implausible though that comeback might be its new release, "9-13," rolls up to make a claim for
the throne.
Returns
like this can be a controversial business at times. Here, founding members Jim Rushby, on guitars and vocal
duties, and bassist Steve Watson are
back in place, but original drummer Justin
Greaves has bowed out. The new Iron Monkey has opted to go it as a trio,
replacing Greaves with Scott Briggs, one of the former
drummers of Bristol hardcore legends Chaos UK.
No Greaves and no original singer
may prompt some gnashing of teeth from the outset. Yet having Bushby and Watson, who were nevertheless architects of the band's grimy sludge
metal clatter, may keep you curious enough to give "9-13" your full attention.
With
the opener, "Crown of Electrodes,"
you are left with the clear impression that Iron Monkey is rejoining us
largely as a punk act. No bones about it that there's plenty of sludge and
grind in this corybantic gruel. Still, in what could be Briggs' influence or a new direction decades on, there is irrefutably
a hardcore tension in the All Pigs Must Die vein here. Some might
criticize Iron
Monkey for this or the vocals, which tend to be an echo of Morrow. However, all things change and,
to tell the truth, this may be the first real introduction to Iron Monkey
a lot of people have had. You can judge this on the strength of "9-13" alone and step away
gratified.
There
are a few near missteps. "Toadcrucifier
- R.I.P.PER" opens with 30 seconds of pointless guitar feedback –
although feedback starting "The Rope"
is equally unlistenable. Fortunately enough, Iron Monkey makes up for it by
delivering a crushing cut that pours on the aggression. The title selection
before it uses the same feedback affectation, but similarly the trio redeems
itself by serving up a whip tight track of metal-infused punk. In fact, the
guitar feedback bit is used on several more songs; it can be cute for the new
high school metal band, but gives "9-13"
an 'out of ideas' vibe that is unnecessary. In fact, Iron Monkey's layoff has not left
members bereft of passion or ideas. The group feels potent and ready to meet
both new fans and skeptics. You just wish these small things did not detract
from such a dexterous and forceful performance.
"9-13" offers plenty
for veteran fans, such as "Doomsday
Impulse Multiplier," a shredding sludge attack and the closing, "Moreland St. Hammervortex," which
is a violent rejoinder of why Iron Monkey got its reputation as a
doom/sludge vanguard. All these years later, Iron Monkey remains gritty and
uncompromising. Predictions for a return were invariably high. "9-13" does not blow those
expectations out of the water. Nor does Iron Monkey disappoint. For that, there's much
to smile about.
"9-13" is available here:
