Slik Toxik - Irrelevant (1994)

I guess it was rather predictable that Slik Toxik, like so many other bands, succumbed to grunge fever and injected a lethal dose of it into their sound. Mind you, ST are one of the more successful bands (not in record sales, simply musical style) in joining their brand of dirty sleaze with grunge. 'Irrelevant' combines that Alice In Chains style moodiness with a weighty snarl. Dangerous Toys also managed the shapeshift n their 'Pissed' album, athough Mindfunk failed miserably on the gluey 'Dropped.' Slik Toxik didn't exactly benefit from the change in sound, but this is still a half decent record with a streetwise attitude and doom-laden riff attack, particularly on the gloopy trudge of 'Twenty Something' which reeks of Alice In Chain's 'We Die Young'whilst the gnarly 'Voodoo' and 'Liquid Calm' offer similar oozing, finding itself a little way between the darker echoes of Skid Row, but 'I Wanna Gun,' despite its armoured riffs grates on the soul as a choppy, almost rapping metal failure. Hard to believe it's the same band, but then again it's all about paying the bills... although I doubt this mish mash of a release paid for anything. Grunged or be grunged! Album title sums it up! 5/10