IR8 ("Irate") was a one off 1994 studio collaboration between Jason Newsted, then bassist for METALLICA, Devin Townsend, of STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, and drummer Tom Hunting, of EXODUS, ANGEL WITCH and WARDANCE repute. Newsted and Hunting subsequently worked together the following year on studio projects SEXOTURICA and QUARTETO DA PINGA. Three IR8 tracks were recorded between October 12th to 17th 1994 at the Newsted's Big Rigor Chophouse Studios.

Newsted, whose tradition pre-METALLICA included a high profile term with FLOTSAM AND JETSAM, joined the OZZY OSBOURNE band, also forged ECHOBRAIN and joined VOIVOD in 2003. Townsend's scene credentials included work with THE WILDHEARTS, STEVE VAI, FRONT LINE ASSEMBLY and his own solo work.

In 2003 Chophouse Records issued the IR8 demos as a split album 'IR8 vs Sexoturica'.