Home > News & Reviews > Health

Health - Rat Wars (Album Review)

Wednesday, 13 December 2023 Written by Tom Morgan

Photo: Mynxii White

It’s cold, dark and wet outside, so it’s the ideal time to crank up some moody industrial rock to get the blood pumping. Health's ‘Rat Wars’ is the perfect companion. 

Following a series of collaborative releases with a range of disparate contributors, including Lamb Of God, JPEGMAFIA and Xiu Xiu, here the Los Angeles group push their own mores to the front and drill down into the Health-verse — a seductive world of punishing beats, oppressive synths and emotive vocals.

Old habits die hard, though, and two tracks on ‘Rat Wars’ feature guest contributions. The goth club banger Hateful uses guest vocals by Sierra to soulful effect, while the Godflesh-featuring Sicko seamlessly marries Health’s sound with Justin K Broadrick’s murky vision.

It’s impossible not to be bowled over by the sheer weight of these 12 tracks. They bludgeon us with muscular drum machines (Future of Hell), intense tempos (Crack Metal) and infectious grooves (DSM-V), and ‘Rat Wars’ is, above all else, thrillingly varied. 

It’s simultaneously an industrial, techno, groove-metal, synth-pop and ambient album, one that also takes cues from modern electronica stalwarts such as Blanck Mass and Oneohtrix Point Never. This is maximalist noise of the most compelling variety, equally suited for packed basement clubs, nighttime city drives or intense gym workouts. Inject some Health into your veins.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!


Let Us Know Your Thoughts




Related News

Thu 17 Oct 2024
Health Release 'Rat Wars Ultra Edition', Share New Song Free To Die Featuring Filter
Mon 23 Sep 2024
The View From The Merch Table: Health
Thu 18 Jul 2024
Health Share Video For New Version Of Ashamed Featuring Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry
Fri 14 Jun 2024
Chvrches' Lauren Mayberry Joins Health On New Version Of Ashamed
Fri 08 Dec 2023
'It Was Mad Max But Fun': Health on Rising From Noise-Rock Squats to Pop-Metal Excellence
 
< Prev   Next >