By Monk
I have probably pontificated on more occasions than many of us have had leftover pizza for breakfast about the potency and vibrancy of the Irish metal scene, commenting as recently as the other day that this little island currently is home to so many heavy bands that it could be in danger of sinking into the Atlantic Ocean before climate change takes its natural course. But if you need any further evidence to support my assertions, then bear in mind that this is the second compilation in as many months dedicated to showcasing the finest Erin’s isle has to offer…
And if you have any additional lingering doubts, just take one look at the tracklisting, as there are no fewer than 50 – yes, that’s FIFTY – bands included here. And, that’s only the tip of the Titanic-sinking iceberg, as I could name about three times as many acts who are not playlisted on this occasion. In fact, I reckon you could listen to a different Irish band every day for a year and still miss a few. But, then again, this (as its title suggests) is the seventh in a series of such compilations, with the promise of much more to be continued to be produced by the excellent folk at the BM podcast, so it is fair to say that the breadth and depth of the Irish scene has been and is going to continue to be fully mined and documented by these fine musical explorers and archivists.
Bands from north of the border are well represented. If It Bleeds draw blood (sic) early on, while SOMA and Nomadic Rituals also bring the heft within the compilation’s opening section. Later, Solothurn, Molarbear and (a mis-spelled) Gozer The Traveller lay it down back to back, while Mr Pink, Somehow Sentient and Scundered provide another contiguous triptych of diverse sounds. Arc Dakota, Ketos, Machina Kore, Asylum Road, Broncos and Devilsome round out the healthy NI contribution to this diverse and thoughtfully curated collection.
Now, obviously I’m well aware of most if not all of the aforementioned acts, but not so much so with many of those from south of that geographical squiggle that forms that ever so divisive “border”, so what else is on here to tickle my earbuds?
Well, you can always rely on Psykosis to kick a party off in t(h)rashy style, and they do just that by bringing proceedings to an immediate ‘Boiling Point’ while The Risen Dread make me absolutely fucking furious I missed their recent Belfast trip when they welcome us into the ferocious pit that is the ‘Circle Of The Damned’. Dublin death dealers Void Revenent are an ‘Abomination’ of the best kind with their frenetic yet precise death metal, while Kilkenny’s GodsFall take us deep into the depths of the ‘Void’ with their angry brand of darkened fury.
To be honest, every band on this compilation deserves a mention, but we would simply run out of words – and, in several cases, superlatives – to do them all but the most economic of justice. Every aspect of the Irish rock and metal scene is covered, from the blackened folk of Oichie Fuar to the punk rock fury of Bodydrinkers and the alt-rock polish of Mirrorglass and XIII Doors, making this an excellent showcase of the full breadth and depth of what the Emerald Isle, in all its myriad aspect, has to offer at this moment in time.
- ‘Burning Metal 7‘ is available for free download.