Ire – What Seed, What Root? CD

Ire – What Seed, What Root? CD

"The title of this album comes from a line in "The Thin Red Line", a 1960s anti-war novel by James Jones. Terrence Malick's screen adaptation came out in 1998, one year before this record. The film follows the story of a deserter (Witt) who has been captured and reassigned. The film's most memorable moments are Witt's soliloquies, and the following passage in particular: “This great evil, where's it come from? How'd it steal into the world? What seed, what root did it grow from? Who's doing this? Who's killing us?". Those familiar with Ire will see how it fits their lyrical interests; anger at higher powers, the machinations behind social morality, the questioning of authority. I wonder how Ire would have reacted to more recent world events; polarised societies existing in filter bubbles, the spread of conspiracy theories, the emergence of populist leaders, etc. We will never know.

"Evil Eyes" opens with the album's best and most metallic riff, an Arabic-sounding scale that captures the feel of their most controversial song, "Atfal Al-Hejara" (from their self-titled seven-inch). This is a deceptive opener. The beginning and end of this song are the only times the album follows the death/doom sound of the "I Discern..." EP. Many of the album’s other riffs are rockier and uptempo (like the opening of "Dead Air"), or traditional hardcore (e.g., "The Number on the Calendar"). There are plenty of slower sections too, but these are looser and bluesier than before. They remind me more of Black Sabbath than of My Dying Bride. The songs on this album are deceptively complex. Ire had always managed to hide their complexity behind crushing riffs, unlike their less accomplished peers.

This is a passionate, aggressive record with great riffs and the band’s best ever production. Unfortunately, it lacks the one thing that made Ire stand out. It lacks the memorable emotional moments, screaming over slow breakdowns, repeated for effect. When I think of Ire, the first thing I think of is those impassioned, intelligible lines like "What am I left to live for, but pain and dejection?" (from the seven-inch) or the repetition of "HORROR!...TRAGEDY!" (from “I Discern…”). This album lacks equivalent melancholic hooks. "Evil Eyes" comes closest, particularly towards the end of the song, but it isn’t enough. The band’s anger and passion feels less personal, more general. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I prefer the chaos of the seven-inch and the moodiness of "I Discern...".

That said, this record deserves a broader audience. "What Seed, What Root?" is a classy record. It isn’t particularly accessible, but should appeal to people who like sludgy, noisy metal/hardcore from the beginning of the millennium (Old Man Gloom, Cult of Luna, Isis). Ire sounded more dangerous, more interesting and more precise than any of those bands. Unfortunately, they would cease to exist after this album. Four of the members continued in a new band under a new name (The Black Hand), playing a simpler, thrashier and crustier style. One member would also join Cursed who would release some decent albums. Neither band had the depth or dexterity of Ire though. Recommended." - Robotniq / Metal Archives