For a post-metal act Steak Number Eight are surprisingly unthreatening. A young Belgian group who take influence from the likes of Pelican and fellow countrymen Amenra, this quartet do not quite seem to have got the hang of the game on this second full-length 'All is Chaos'.
The best releases from this genre make the listener feel slightly concerned for both their ears and their sanity. Steak Number Eight are only likely to raise concerns for the stomach with their meat related name. To be fair to the band, opening tracks 'Dickhead' and 'Pyromaniac' are passable attempts at hardcore infused sludge, even if both definitely come out as being rather too cheerful to fit completely into a genre usually known for promoting vibes of utter bleakness and desolation.
Perhaps it is that Steak Number Eight are too in awe to the greats of the genre but this is also a band still searching for an identity. If one had to hazard a guess as to what a post-metal covers band would sound like…these guys are probably a fairly good estimation. There just is a total lack of anything on this album that Steak Number Eight could justifiably call their own.
Whilst the band are clearly good musicians and clearly love the type of music they perform, it is hard not to listen to this record and come away with thoughts only relating to how average it is. Nothing really comes across badly but there is very little that will actually be memorable, even after a good few listens. Thus it is hard to be too disappointed in Steak Number Eight, but it is also all too easy to feel sorry for them. Hopefully in the future a bit more individuality and presence will result in a work far more comprehensive.
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The best releases from this genre make the listener feel slightly concerned for both their ears and their sanity. Steak Number Eight are only likely to raise concerns for the stomach with their meat related name. To be fair to the band, opening tracks 'Dickhead' and 'Pyromaniac' are passable attempts at hardcore infused sludge, even if both definitely come out as being rather too cheerful to fit completely into a genre usually known for promoting vibes of utter bleakness and desolation. 
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