I’ll Eat Your Face (ROI) | ‘Irritant’

While there are bands covering almost every base of metal in Ireland, one thing the country always seems to be lacking in is decent grindcore. Who could have thought then, that this national shortcoming could be significantly soothed by two mysterious lads from Cork going by the name of I’ll Eat Your Face.

Rarely seen without a pair of tights crammed over their heads and going by the monikers of ‘The Boy’ and ‘Barrytron’, you’d be forgiven for dismissing the instrumental twosome as a comedy act of dubious calibre. Beneath that exterior however, and as can be confirmed by anyone who has caught them live, a raw bayscht of powerhouse grinding has clearly been stirring.

‘Irritant’ kicks off in impressive fashion from the very start. The recording has been blessed with a clarity and tightness that’s clearly had a excessive amount of time and attention dedicated to it, with the first couple of tracks whipping by in an atomic blast of energy and almost joyful abandon.

The clarity of this production really needs to be emphasised. I don’t think I’ve heard an underground Irish record sound this punchy and tight in a very long time. Then again, the group’s style makes an impact in its own right, with brief, beguiling passages of clean guitar and playful touches of electronics giving way to an abrasive chung and levels of oomph that sound like a bunch of lorries landing on your unsuspecting gaff.

Some of the technical performances are nothing short of outstanding in terms of this field. It seems pointless to highlight examples on a record that’s obviously had all examples of sonic flab removed, but the previously released ‘Infernal Mind Disco’ has to stand out with that discordant refrain that it just keeps hammering home.

The group’s technical prowess can’t be faulted, with some of the more supercharged and rabid sections recalling the likes of Antigama for long moments, before changing form and zipping off into the distance once again. Yes, it probably would still sound better with some sort of vocals acting as a focal point, but it would be hard going to find a singer who could actually positively augment what’s going on here.

The bizarre yet uplifting cover of Mike Oldfield’s ‘Five Miles Out’ completes the picture, with raging guitar and drums holding court with a gleeful keyboard workout and some very unconventional catchiness.

All this will be somewhat of a non-surprise to anyone who has caught their live show and witnessed how speed, power and a refusal to take themselves too seriously are integral to the band. The really good news is that they’ve fully revealed their potential with this debut, and what’s better, it’s planned to be given a free release via the wonderful interweb this February.

Short and sweet, and packing an identity and power all of their own, if you have still to check them out then this’ll be more than worth your while.

3.3 / 5 - Lorcan Archer ::: 26/12/09