Infestation

Roadrunner/Loud & Proud

I love the 80’s! I especially love the Metal that reigned supreme throughout that particular decade and anytime a band manages to squeeze just one more album out in today’s complacent market is cause for celebration. As for Hollywood Sunset favorites RATT they’re first CD in a decade is nothing short of amazing. All nostalgia aside Infestation is a treasure akin to the early days of the RATT pack which could easily fall somewhere between Invasion of Your Privacy and Reach For the Sky only with modern day production values.

Kicking off the CD is a fat, fat riff from the opening tack, “Eat Me Up Alive”, this definitely delivers the heaviest bottom end from any RATT album to date and immediately gets the adrenaline flowing. Following the album opener is what I would have to say is my favorite track on the CD and a damn catchy tune. “Best Of Me” leans more toward the bluesy side of the band and sounds exactly like it could have been a leftover from the Detonator days. Unfortunately this is a stand alone track and the rest of the CD while exceptionally good just doesn’t quite hit me the way this song does. For anyone who caught the band live during the year’s vocalist Stephen Pearcy was absent from the band and the position was held by Love Hate frontman Jizzy Pearl I’m sure you’ll rejoice with me that he never recorded with the band as Steven Pearcy is truly the voice of RATT and shine brilliantly on this new addition to the RATT catalogue. Lyrically Infestation is an a escape and much needed breath of fresh air from the introspective problems that most artists boast these days. This is what the 80’s were all about, rather that contemplating the end of the world in the midst of the cold war the music served as a means to focus on living life and exploring all the wonder of the party lifestyle. In the midst of today’s economic crisis, the threat of terrorist attack and the millon of other problems our society is facing this Infestation is exactly what the doctor ordered to remind us of why we choose to continue in this life in the first pace.

Not surprising at all is the spectacular playing of lead guitarist Warren DeMartini, this man has serious skill and never fails to impress. I think it’s safe to say that no one could ever fill fallen guitarist Robin Crosby’s shoes but new comer Carlos Cavaza (ex-Quiet Riot) is a perfect choice to fill the recently vacated slot of John Corabi (ex-Motley Crue/Union) who had been with the band for the last decade. Blotzer and Crane are also a solid rhythm section rounding out the 2010 line up of the re-vamped RATT. Additional note worthy cuts include “As Good As It Gets” (just love the Cheshire Cat) line, “Lost Weekend”, and “A Little Too Much”. 

-Priest