IRON MONKEY, Ruined By Idiots: Live and Unleashed (2002, Maniac Beast)
The skull:
A closeup of a skull in a light box. As cheap and bland as possible. Maximum stupidity from a band that specialized in the same.
The music:
By the time Iron Monkey’s debut was released on Earache, it was clear that the label was ruined forever. Sure, in the early days there were Sore Throat and Fudge Tunnel albums to contend with, but at least there were Bolt Throwers, Carcasses, Nocturni, and so on to keep the average high. When Iron Monkey dropped, they shared roster space with Ultraviolence, Dub War, and Pulkas. Truly a dark time. At least Iron Monkey were undeniably a metal band, even if they were just a shitty British take on Helmet and Clutch. Ruined By Idiots collects all the live and radio sessions (plus a few studio cuts) that you labored so diligently to avoid in the first place.
— Friar Johnsen
I always thought they were more of a shitty British version of Eyehategod.
The name is terrible, and the skull is worse. But…I do kind of like “Ruined by Idiots.” Knowing nothing about the band or their music (and, let’s face it, I never will), there are still, like, five different ways to take that title. I wish they’d stopped there, of course, but I guess “Live and Unleashed” is in lieu of “caveat emptor”?