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I was literally refreshing the Irepress iTunes store page to make sure I got this album as soon as I could. I haven’t found another band quite like Irepress. I could probably come up with some concoction other rock/metal/experimental bands that might indicate what you’re in for when you buy Sol Eye Sea I (2009), but where’s the fun in that? Half the appeal of Irepress is that they’re largely unpredictable. The music is about as crazy as the album cover indicates… and yes there seems to be a few disco balls hidden in there. Oddly enough, that’s stranger to me than the man with six arms, three eyes, and what appears to be clams in his left hands and maybe ping pong paddles in his right?. 

Immediately Sol Eye Sea I comes off much heavier than their debut album. I haven’t tried to learn it on the guitar yet, but it sounds like they’re playing with their guitars dropped at least a whole step on every string to give a much thicker and darker tone. I suppose they may have done that on Samus Octology (2007), but Sol Eye Sea I starts out noticeably heavier both in tone and rhythm. Of course, it’s hard to pin anything down with Irepress. Some of their later tracks maintain the same energy, but incorporate more synths and effects than hard rhythm guitars. 

There are a couple themes the band tends to maintain. They’ve done a wonderful job of blending playing styles of a clean guitar and a distorted guitar. What I mean is that a large majority of bands with heavy/distorted guitars depend on power chords or discrete note riffs. I love that Irepress has embraced the dissonance of non-power chords heard with distortion effects. The second theme I’ve noticed is the intense syncopation. While this band is instrumental and still very melodic, it’s their syncopated, extremely tight rhythm section that sets them ahead of the pack.

Sol Eye Sea I is a logical follow-up for Irepress and better recording. They did, however, throw in a couple curve balls for me (even though I should expect the unexpected with them), they added some vocal tracks to a few pieces. I thought they all fit perfectly and I hope any subsequent release continues in this direction. Barrageo’s vocals were mostly rough screaming, but the kind I’ve come to love among post-metal bands. Cyette Phiur taunts you with a taste of some female vocals a couple times… I’d love to hear more. I was also surprised by the stronger electronic synth essence on this album, particularly on Fletchie. This track still fits with the album quite well, but it shows more of the diversity of their influences.

I’ve been waiting for this album a long time and it’s lived up to my expectations. Irepress is definitely under-appreciated and I think Sol Eye Sea I will help to change that. Get their brand new album and spread the word!