Infestation

If there was an example of a classic band ready to stumble at a crucial hurdle, it would have been Ratt. Wayward lead-singer, dead founding member, lacklustre albums, not to mention pretty much being inactive for the best part of two decades, you could be forgiven for thinking that things didn't bode well for this comeback. However, if you wrote a wishlist for what Ratt HAD to do to get you to listen to them again, then they definitely fulfill it on 'Infestation': Great production, crunchy riffs, can't-get-it-out-of-your-head catchiness, tasteful shredding, Pearcy's sneer - all present and correct. Thankfully, they now have a sympathetic producer ( Elvis Baskette ), who is obviously a fan. He knows the limitations of the Pearcy 'voice', and makes sure it's upfront and unapologetic. You hear Pearcy, and you hear the 'Ratt Sound'. So you get the patented attitude and swagger, backed up by muscular and confident music. Nothing outstays its welcome, and indeed, the album clocks in at a perfect forty-seven minutes. It doesn't hang around long enough for you to get bored. This album is what SHOULD have followed the stunning 'Invasion Of Your Privacy', as it sits comfortably alongside those early classics. Utterly great.

The 80's. The decade that should never have been. All that disco rubbish, & leg warmers. But it also spawned some of the best metal that's ever been produced. It was probably the golden era for it. And right up there with the best were Ratt. Probably one of the best bands not to be huge. That was a sign of the times though, as they came along when metal had a resurgence, and there was a lot of choice for the punters. Someone had to suffer. Enough of the past. This is Ratt at their raunchy, pouting, in-yer-face best. As has been mentioned in another review, it's like the follow-up to Invasion of your privacy/dancing undercover, & the last 20 years just didn't happen. Absolutely epic stuff. Well recommended if you're old enough to remember them, & also if you're not. Get a taste of real metal, not this punky, no-solo, nu-metal nonsense. Bring back bands with guitar heroes, ones that aren't afraid to play lead & put some soul & feeling into their music. Reminds me of why I loved metal in the first place.

Great to hear a strong album from the RATT pack. I didn't think that their last album was that bad either despite reviews, but this is a very strong album - full of hard rockers in the ol', familiar RATT style. Listening to it earlier and my wife said that it sounded like one long song, which should be a good thing (and it is really...), but ultimately isn't, which is why I only gave it 4 stars - not enough diversity. But hey... it's all Ratt n' roll - good, rockin' stuff. Crank it up!!

Fantastic album all the way through.

As many will know, Ratt were around in the 80's and 90's and were lumped in with Motley Crue, Twisted Sister, G&R etc. I never really listened to them at the time though. However, I read a review of 'Infestation' that really rated it, so I took a chance - I thought it would be OK and warrant a couple of listens. Nah - it stayed on my car stereo for ages... Well worth it! The style is definitely 80's LA glam, but the boys have clearly benefited from maturity as the tracks are all excellent. Musically it is not surprising at all, but that is no problem as it is superbly executed. If you like - e.g. - 'Dr Feelgood' or 'You Can't Stop Rock n Roll', then give this a spin - you won't be disappointed.

Not that these guys have changed anything. I wounder how they can sound exactly as they did 20 years ago. That I must say is an achivement in itself. Must be that the got the recipy for Ratt'n'roll ;) I was kind of hopeing for something little more interesting since the guys are older and lot's happened in the music sceene since Ratt where on top. On the other hand I'm kind of glad. Noone does this kind of music anymore. The songs are as strong as ever.

What a classic 80s Rock Band. To come back like this is incredible. Warren Demartini is still one of the best guitarists, his feel still is so good. Carlos is excellent too. The rest of the band are in top shape too. I'm sure if this was 1985 this would have been a multi platinum album!

Not bad album...

ラットの最新を今頃聞きましたが悪く無いと思う。完成度は良いと思います。

Als vor einigen Monaten bekannt wurde,das Ratt eine neue Cd aufnehmen,war ich skeptisch,was daraus werden könnte.11 Jahre keine Platte gemacht,wobei die schlicht selbstbetitelte letzte Scheibe trotz ein paar guter Nummern nicht so mein Fall war.Die Ratt E.P.,Out of the Cellar,Invasion of your Privacy und die Dancing Undercover waren für mich die besten Scheiben der Jungs,was danach kam, war gut aber kam einfach nicht,mit den ersten Platten mit.Und nun Infestation.Stephen Pearcy sagte im Vorfeld das die Scheibe ein mix aus Out of the Cellar und der Invasion sei.Und er hat Recht!Ratt klingen auf der neuen Scheibe so rockig und spontan wie vor 25 Jahren!Auf der einen Seite Uptempo Rocker wie Eat me up Alive,Last Call,Garden of Eden,Take a big bite und der Rausschmeisser Dont let go, die allesamt gut ins Ohr gehen und einfach Energie freisetzen.Auf der anderen Seite die Ratt-typischen Mid-Tempo Songs,mit Ohrwurmrefrain und jeder Menge Hooks wie Best of Me,A little too much,Lost Weekend,As Good as it gets und Look out Below.Take me Home,ist die einzige Ballade der Platte die gar nicht schmalzig klingt,sondern immer noch die gewisse RocknRoll Schlagseite hat.Auf der Platte gibt es meiner Meinung nach keinen echten Ausfall.Pearcy singt erstaunlich gut,das Gitarrenduo De Martini/Cavazo harmoniert wie zu besten 80er Zeiten.Und die Rythmusfraktion spielt ein gutes Soundfundament.Klasse Platte!Für mich auf Augenhöhe mit den ersten Scheiben der Band,was auch an der guten Produktion liegt,die Scheibe hat echt einen guten Klang.Es macht einfach Spaß die Scheibe zu hören.Jedem Ratt oder 80er Heavy Rock Fan sei gesagt.Kaufen!!!

This is the release all '80s Ratt fans had been waiting for. Strong from start to finish, still retains that wild, fresh vibe of their heyday! Highly recommended!

If there is one word that describes this album it is: "SOLID". I agree with the other reviewers, this is one of the best albums Ratt has put out to date. All the songs are great, there are no fillers. Ironically the release song "Best Of Me" is one of the weaker songs on the album, but I think the band wanted to release something poppy and catchy. The rest of the songs are more powerful, heavier. All songs are fast paced, none slow, one balad but good. I think this is what the band describes by the album going back and being similar to their earlier albums. In terms of energy it is. Nothing will sound the same as "Invasion of Your Privacy" or "Reach For The Sky" or "Dancing Undercover". It was a different time, a different genre, a different age for the band members. It would be hard to expect something similar to those albums. Now is now, and this album is great. It is hard to stop playing. It's hard to pick the best song on the album because there are some great ones. Thanks Bobby Blotzer for your song contribution, "Look Out Below" and "Don't Let Go" are great songs, "Lost Weekend" (Robbie Crane contribution), "As Good As It Gets" (thank you Stephen). The guitar riffs from Warren DeMartini are great as ever, the soulful guitar that has always characterized this band is definitely there in every song. Stephen sounds awesome. My personal opinion is that the album actually sounds a lot like the 1999 release of the "Ratt" album with Robbie Crane back then but faster paced and much heavier (this is by far the heaviest albums Ratt put out, as in "heavy metal"). Is it any surprise? Same band members in 1999, the same now (with the addition of Carlos Cavazo) and yes those same ingredients make the same songs now. Honestly I loved that album too. Thanks for coming back together guys! The best songs on the album: 1. "garden of eden": favorite song on the album, Stephen is just a bad ass on this one; Lyrics: "I've got a bad reputation, and you knew it so well, yeah I give you what you need and I'm gonna take you to hell, doesn't matter how you feel, just gives you stories to tell, I'm going to take you right back, Gonna throw in the towel .... Nothing you could do, nothing you could have said, welcome to my world, in this garden of eden,... Yeah you're my addiction, between shame and temptation, Yeah you give me what I need and I like it like that!" 2. "as good as it gets": so melodic, DeMartini written all over it; Lyrics: "you kind of like me, not like that, you got me grinning like a Cheshire cat, the way you love me, I would bet, I tell you something it's as good as it gets. .. you're like a train running off the tracks, you'll always work me up to a sweat, I tell you honey, you're as good as it gets". Sounds a little bit with "Giving yourself away". 3. "lost weekend": in your face, fast paced awesome song, the drums rule; Lyrics: "Rock steady your lost weekend, I'm ready for big fun, you're mine for the taking, rock steady everyone" 4. "last call": snarling voice:; Lyrics: "last call, never turned away, last call, dance the night away, last call, have a drink on me". Sounds a bit like "Way Cool Jr" especially the ending guitar part. 5. "take a big bite": Stephen just screams his ass off on this song, way too good, so fast; Lyrics: "shake your ass baby, looking for a fight, I got nothing to do, so take a big bite"

Buono ma non è come i precedenti album dei ratt ci sono un po' di cambiamenti nella.sonorità e nel groove