Like Rats - Like Rats

Like Rats came to my attention out of nowhere this year. After hearing their track on the A389 Records 2012 Sampler a lot of people seemed to be highly anticipating the release of their first full length. The wait is over now as the band presents nine songs in a vicious half hour.

The opening riff of "Red Dawn" draws the listener in immediately before the gnashes into their brand of metallic hardcore. The dirty tone is set from there on out and doesn't let up throughout the rest of the record. Not surprisingly, the vocals and guitars are the pilot and co-pilot and drive the record through a snarling and thrashy journey. Giving the band plenty of character is the obvious black metal influence not unlike label mates Gehenna and Young And In The Way. No, they aren't exactly alike, but three different bands playing metallic hardcore with black metal influence are going to get similar somewhere in their songs.

The track that seems to be drawing all the attention on this record is closer "Russian Midnight". The song reminds me of a mash up of Converge and Ringworm. It's a good song, but honestly I don't know why it seems to stick out for everyone else. All the songs are solid.

I've already seen a couple reviews saying this will be in their top ten of the year. While I don't think I can as confidently say that as I did with Homewreckers' Worms and Dirt, I can say that this is a great record and I am impressed with Like Rats.

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