Rats of Gomorrah – Infectious Vermin

Rats of Gomorrah – Infectious Vermin
Release Date: 31st January 2025
Label: Testimony Records
Bandcamp
Genre: Death Metal
FFO: Entombed, Feral, Dismember, Paganizer.
Review By: Ceta

The name Rats of Gomorrah hits hard, doesn’t it? It’s the kind of name that conjures vivid, apocalyptic imagery. But what about their album Infectious Vermin? Does it live up to that dramatic flair? Not really, but don’t let that fool you. In the world of Metal, brutal names are often just part of the theater, a little spice to amplify the experience. The real question is – how does the music hold up?

On the surface, this album might seem like a love letter to old-school Death Metal, with clear nods to Swedish greats. And while it certainly wears its influences on its sleeve, Infectious Vermin isn’t content to just rehash the past. There’s a strong Death n’ Roll vibe driving the album, but it’s far from one-dimensional. You’ll catch glimpses of Doom’s heaviness and even hints of Black Metal woven into the mix. Despite the occasional track speeding by like a Punk blitzkrieg, the album shows surprising cohesion as it explores its varied influences.

The guitar work here is as nasty as it gets – sharp, dirty riffs that reek of decay – but it’s the vocals that steal the spotlight. The vocal performance keeps you guessing, shifting in ways that keep the album unpredictable and engaging. It’s clearly something the band thought about to separate themselves from the many bands that explore this sound. That said, Infectious Vermin stays firmly rooted in its Death n’ Roll foundation, which means it’s all about raw energy and blistering speed rather than pushing creative boundaries. It doesn’t really go out on a limb. But what it lacks in daring experimentation, it makes up for with a lot of catchy riffs. So, if you want something with no pretensions, then this is for you.

For fans of high-octane aggression and visceral release, this album hits the mark. It’s direct, chaotic, and unapologetically heavy. What makes it stand out, though, is the production – it’s raw without being messy. Unlike the lo-fi, muddled mixes of decades past, Infectious Vermin finds that sweet spot where grit and clarity coexist. Sometimes, it’s nice to enjoy something ferocious without it sounding like it was recorded underwater.

3.5 out of 5 stars (3.5 / 5)

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