Our Problem/Iron Monkey (UK)

This two-disc set compiles Iron Monkey's two Earache releases (their 1997 self-titled EP and 1998's Our Problem), adding several bonus tracks that originally appeared on EPs or compilations. There's a super-distorted, ultra-sludgy run through Black Sabbath's "Cornucopia" as well as the originals "Sleep to Win," "Arsonaut," and "Kiss of Death." It's the band's primary discography that's the real selling point, though. On the self-titled debut EP, they basically came across like feedback-enraptured sociopaths, a decent English equivalent to Eyehategod or Grief, but they had yet to truly live up to their potential. Worse (for them), Eyehategod had peaked the previous year with the awesome, nightmare-inducing Dopesick, so to a degree, Iron Monkey seemed like sludge wannabes. It wasn't until the following year that they really came into their own. Our Problem was a step forward in every way. The riffs were better, the rhythms sounded like someone had slapped drummer Justin Greaves awake at last, the production was clearer (without coming anywhere close to nice or clean-sounding), and even vocalist Johnny Morrow sounded less like a shrieking maniac and more like someone who was doing it on purpose. There hasn't been any noticeable remastering done to this music -- it still sounds like absolute hell, which is the point. But if you've never heard Iron Monkey, who were somewhat overhyped at the time and are somewhat underrated today, this is an excellent first and last stop. ~ Phil Freeman|