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IREPRESS - Samus Octology - CD - All Indians, No Chiefs - 2005
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review by: Joshua LINK to Review: http://maelstrom.nu/ezine/review_iss39_2736.php
Apparently Irepress have been around in some incarnation or another for a number of years now. After some internal upheaval and existential angst of whether or not to continue on as a group they’ve reemerged as a four piece instrumental ensemble, and there’s really only one thing to say about this version: "watch out." And to all the other budding instrumental groups out there, you’ve been put on notice – the bar has been set high out of reach, might as well just go home. Hell, these guys may even have those mighty behemoths Pelican and Explosions in the Sky looking furtively in the rearview mirror on their next cross-country tours. Yes, these guys are that good.
Remember when Cave-In made the stylistic leap from destructive post-hardcore / metalcore killing crew to the more refined, brawny, heavier take on Radiohead? Irepress takes a similar approach, adds in an expansive, anything-is-possible stance worthy of Isis, and run it for all it’s worth. Their sound is a conjuring full of punishing metallic riffs and bombast counterbalanced by melodic passages and harmony interludes that are so stirringly gorgeous you may just want to bury your head in your arms and weep for having been exposed to their being.
Samus Octology is a post rock record that desperately wants to be metal while it’s futilely trying to shrug off the melodic intrusions that are born out of seemingly random song structures that have hidden direction. It’s simultaneously all these and none, each song at war with itself; yet the conflict creates rather than destroys, a cleansing birthed from fire.
Rhythms are deconstructed and built back up again as melodies, woven like spider webs, trapping those rhythms in arcing, crystalline strands. Those same melodies are torn apart by machine gun riffs and convulsive drumming only to be rebuilt again and again. This milieu repeats itself through a distinctly non-linear path and odd time signatures that don’t feel odd at all – the shifts are abruptly smooth, gliding from one station to the next or buttressed comfortably against one another at crazy angles that possess covert logic.
Every journey has a first step, right? The pure joy of Samus Octology is that from note one you’re in the middle of a thousand mile walk, blissfully unaware of how you already got so far while having no idea, nor caring, how much farther you have to go.
- Maelstrom.nu
Odd experimental guitar rock is the recipe with hard edges just around each corner. More mathematical in their eclectic fanning of song structure with its odd time signatures, Irepress punches everything out with guitars fit for a hardcore or metal outfit. The discordant harmonies soar high with thumping percussion filling the space with their incredible melodies. Their songs are breathtaking and highly original further proving that great bands are still in the making and not everything has already been done.
- J-Sin
Link to review: http://www.smother.net/reviews/punk.php3?ID=302
- SMOTHER.NET
Discography
Samus Octology (2005)
Available at cdbaby.com/irepress
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
The journey of Irepress began in the basement of two loving brothers in Sharon, MA eight years ago. The elder, a guitarist by trade and the younger a drummer extraordinaire, shared equally a thirst for music and collaboration. Appropriating their skills throughout the local musical community, the syblings happened upon two guitar players from seperate corners of the same town. The duel guitarists had already been involved in a collaborative outfit celebrating the longevity of 80's metal with a blend of 90's riffery. With the elder brother taking on bass duties, two became four and the seed of the former projects had been supplanted by a new budding sound. After a few uproarious jam sessions and choice rock covers of the era, the newfound group decided to recruit a singer. Forever welcoming the influence of all passionate musicians, the band's collective consciousness cried out, "Why not two?" Jarrett Ring and Shomik Bhattacharya were infused into the system.
The early days yielded a power packed album, filled with grit and a firestom of youthful aggression. It was the independent release of H.A.V.O.C; The first true effort by the newly formed Irepress. An album devoted to metal as well as the influence of rapcore and even a hint of the emo rock of the time. (Not today's emo rock standards but those of the early 90's).
Years passed and times had changed. Both singers had left the band due to other commitments and the group was left back where they started. In a basement on 5 Juniper Rd, forced to come to terms once again with their roots. The choice to move forward was an easy one. The call for more music was in order.
The band began to operate without a net and the influences came flying to the surface only to smash into a glass wall of new sound. After three years of trial and error, stops and starts, on's and off's, Irepress birthed their first official full length release of the new era, Samus Octology. The soundscapes are rich with vibrant color and as harsh as 8 suburban winters. The result translated to Irepress finally finding a home in the world's current and vast musical landscape.
Presently, the band is pushing their sound even further, welcoming back former singer Jarrett Ring to take on a new role in the band eight years advanced. The new direction is more ambient, more colorful and more melodic than ever before.
The sound is forever being altered but the same principles have stayed in place for 8 years. Irepress will soon be moving a crowd near you.
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