Iron Monkey (band)

Iron Monkey was a British sludge metal band formed in Nottingham, England, in 1994. Known for their bleak, misanthropic lyrics, distorted, crushing sound, and heavy use of samples from exploitation films and horror movies, they were a significant force in the 1990s UK underground metal scene.

The band's core lineup consisted of vocalist Justin Greaves (later of Electric Wizard and Crippled Black Phoenix), guitarist Johnny Morrow, bassist Steve Watson, and drummer Justin Green. They released two full-length albums, Iron Monkey (1998) and Our Problem (1999), both on Earache Records. These albums, along with various EPs and splits, cemented their reputation for extreme, nihilistic music.

Following the release of Our Problem, the band dissolved due to internal tensions and personal struggles, exacerbated by the untimely death of guitarist Johnny Morrow.

In 2017, Iron Monkey reformed with a new lineup, featuring original members Steve Watson and Justin Green alongside vocalist/guitarist Johnny King and guitarist Scott Briggs. They released their third full-length album, 9-13, in 2017, continuing the band's legacy of crushing sludge metal.

Iron Monkey's influence can be heard in many subsequent sludge and doom metal bands. Their relentlessly bleak and heavy sound, combined with their unflinching lyrical content, continues to resonate with fans of extreme music.