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RATT
"Infestation" (Roadrunner/Loud
& Proud; 2010)
Reviewed by Jeff Rogers
I checked the Rough Edge CD reviews pages carefully. This is the first review of a CD by Ratt?! How did that happen?! (Editor's Note: That's a really good question.)
Well, I'll tell ya: I watched a VH-1
special on Ratt and then I scoured their discography and pulled all my faves.
Then I thought, "I wonder if we've ever reviewed a Ratt disc"... and here we
are. I've always liked Ratt, especially guitar player Warren DeMartini.
DeMartini's prowess has always amazed me. He was one of the shining stars among
the eye-liner bands of the 80s and that's probably why we've never reviewed a
Ratt CD, they sort of got lost in their time era. (Editor's Note: Yeah. Let's go
with that.)
The first track on "Infested" is entitled "Eat Me Up Alive" and it could have
been pulled from the band's first two albums. In fact, it could be a lost track
for all I know, but it still sounds great. The death of Robbin Crosby in 2002
was tragic and the 1999 album "Ratt" was not a great record. Carlos Cavazo of
Quiet Riot fame stepped in on this offering and it sounds really good. There are
plenty of crunchy and melodic riffs, nasty solos and I'm not sure if there are
any guitar fights going on but you can definitely hear a twin-axe assault.
Robbin would be proud.
Fans of Ratt might have missed this disc since it was eleven years between
releases. I implore you to listen to it and to rediscover why Ratt was one of
the heavy hitters from that era. And, from listening to this disc, I'd say they
have a few haymakers left.
Ratt: Stephen Pearcy - lead vocals; Warren DeMartini - guitar; Carlos Cavazo -
guitar; Robbie Crane - bass; Bobby Blotzer - drums.
For more information, check out http://www.therattpack.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2013 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised:
18 Nov 2024 13:00:27 -0500.
