Not familiar with either of these bands, but both turn out some interesting material. Dogs of Ire really remind me of some obscure old mid 90s hc band, but I can’t quite place my finger on it – perhaps a cross of Universal Order of Armageddon and Born Against. Vocals are a bit garbled and the music seems to bounce unwittingly between flying by the seat of its pants and being a little more controlled. There are moments where it is totally unhinged and super fast, then it all calms down and returns to some vague normality. The second song has a topnotch bassline that winds its way through, whilst the music wanders between quiet moments and others that are frantic. Its an instrumental but it kept my attention. Which ain’t usual! I didn’t like this side at first but now I am right into it. Good stuff.
Marc Antony start out with a bunch of kids trapped in the Star Wars trash compactor before they figure out that they have instruments that can be played in some semblance of a tune. They still figure that treating them like they have all been warmed up to inhumane temperatures is a great way of playing them though, as their seemingly random yet mathematical noise with distorted vocals heaps upon us the sound of Honeywell sitting a degree level maths exam. I love their approach even though I can barely get a handle on it. The second song is initially played at a staggering pace with the vocals being funnelled down the Channel Tunnel then amped up a tad. Whilst you’re attempting to get your head round that it all slows down to a chug and you are left wondering what just happened. Compelling.