"Ex-instrumental mean and righteous rock that falls just heavier than kraut and just lighter than metal."- Corbie Hill

Irata is a three-piece band based out of Greensboro, NC.  Featuring Jon Case on bass and vocals, Cheryl Hall on guitar and Jason Ward on drums, vox and synth, the trio pulls from experimental, alt-rock and post-metal influences.  The combination of heavy, sonic riffs, driving percussion and a distinct vocal sound gives Irata an addictive quality that cannot be ignored.

The band is currently putting together their latest album, which is expected to be released in early 2012.


Debut album "IRATA" Reviews:

Yes! Weekly CD review
Category: Music

"This is definitely one of the most creative heavy progressive-instumental albums thus far in 2008.  Irata possesses more than the typical technical riffs, distortion and melodic lines.  It experiments with a mix of under-and over-tone bridges incorporatin a perfect industrial flow in and out of a formula that says, "We aren't sticking to a formula." 4-1/2 albums  -Heather Mac


Bootleg Magazine CD review
Category: Music

"Irata's self titled debut serves as proof that a band can do just fine without a singer. As Irata is all instrumentals, the songs are so overly complete that it's easy to forget that there are no vocals. It moves along with enough character and bravado that nearly a third of the way in you realize no one's singing. And that's just fantastic."

"Irata is comprised of fuzzy guitar harmony that climbs and falls to create not only ambiance but an emotional vibe that lands between melancholy and electric funk. Opening track 'Infinite Eight' easily moves into 'Slide' which sounds like a hybrid of A Perfect Circle and Semisonic. 'Clown Rehab' is especially sonic, coming on with wave after wave of reverb and breakdowns. The noodling guitar of 'Pilgrim' sounds like steel rolling around, about to break, and the thick slide guitar is barbaric and angelic simultaneously. 'Baby's Breath' mixes heavy riffs with Indian flavors to create heavy handed world music while 'Eye of Ra' fuses an Asian thread throughout the track along with a Dick Dale styled guitar riff."

"The trio hails from Greensboro, NC and utilize a Moog and a saxophone hooked up to a guitar amplifier as well as a variety of percussion. Part experimentation and loosely devoid of structure, each song is its own world. The melodies drone and caress one another to craft a plentiful musical landscape. While much of the album is a variation on a musical theme, Irata is a work that explores infinitely outside the box of what music can be, yet, is typically not done."  -Brian Tucker


Village Idiot CD review
Category: Music

"Here on their debut album,  Greensboro, NC rockers Irata have made themselves strong contenders for the best progressive rock band in the state.  Between members Jason Ward,  Jason Duff and Jon Case , the swirling, driving guitars and intricate, pounding drums build epically progressing instrumental gems that call to mind everyone from legends like King Crimson and Tool to bands like Explosions in the Sky, Graboids and the like."

"From the opening track "Infinite Eight," the album is an incredibly solid entry into the prog-metal fold.  The amount of noise that comes from this three piece, from their devastating live shows to the entirety of this album is amazing.  The pure amount of layers on songs like "Baby's Breath" is enough to allow the listener to pick up new notes each time through."

"In the same vein as fellow instrumental badasses Graboids and Ahleuchatistas,  who have both passed through the NC bar scene regularly the past few years,  they have a bit of fun with the song titles.  Irata's debut features titles like "Clown Rehab" and "Drunken Dwarf" leading one to ponder their meanings just a bit as the rock begins to melt their face.  Catch these guys all over NC in '08. Cause this album gets 41/2 jesters.   -Matt Davis