EP REVIEW: Rat Child – Crobot
Those who were dismally disappointed to hear that the 2018 Motherbrain record had to come to an end at all from the Pennsylvanian trio CROBOT will be ecstatically delighted with the release of the bands four-track EP, Rat Child. Having made some good impressions and sewn strong bonds with the musicians they’ve toured with since their inception in 2011, vocalist Brandon Yeagley, guitarist Chris Bishop, and drummer Dan Ryan welcome with open arms an array of friends to join them on this new slice of eargasmic funk-driven metal.
Kicking off with the EP’s first single is Mountain, a track that leads straight into a continuation of Motherbrain which will come as no surprise as the groove-laden piece of ear candy serves as a leftover from the band’s previous plateful of pleasures. Amongst Ryan’s excessive work on the ride cymbal and guest appearance from ANTHRAX’s bassist Frank Bello, the guitar licks sway toward a traditional heavy metal sound that compliments Yeagley’s lyrics of “I have met my God today, introduced him to my blade.”
Kiss It Goodbye enters with an intro riff that turns to walk away like a menacingly imposing tattooed biker in a bar before spinning on his heels and smacking you right in the kisser, rendering you dazed and confused on the sticky bar room floor. Before you can even regain your balance, their back-up arrives and a new contestant walks in. It’s ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and LIGHT THE TORCH’s vocalist Howard Jones. You’re outnumbered as Jones threatens that “you’re gonna wear these scars forever, kiss it goodbye.”
Unlike 2015’s Queen of the Light and 2016’s Hold on for Dear Life, Everyone Dies is the first piano-based ballad from the band. The touching tune is surprisingly co-written and performed on by STEEL PANTHER’s drummer Stix Zadinia, contradictory to his usual tongue-in-cheek comedic glam antics. Drawn out, doom infused guitar notes in line with BLACK SABBATH enter the void before a QUEEN inspired bright and assertive guitar lick follows suit. They make a strong point when the lyrics “nobody needs to cry, if everyone dies” pricks the ether, albeit a morbid one at that. Perhaps a direct reaction and plea to the previous year’s pandemic and life struggles that have highlighted the mortality and fragility of life on Earth.
The EP’s title track leads the record out with Rat Child. Heavy bass and African bongos offer a locational transfer to damp and humid rainforests. A new type of swagger infiltrates its way through the hallucinogenic trip you find yourself on with a pre-chorus that infuses AEROSMITH licks from the Pump-era, with Steven Tyler’s vocalisation from Last Child drawing similarities over the top of Ryan’s tasty drum fills.
Rat Child is a snapshot of CROBOT exercising their instrumental expertise with a solid group of musically talented friends whilst working hard and playing hard; an endeavour which is elevating their own prosperities to new heights in the process. Working hard or hardly working? Why not both?
Rating: 9/10
Rat Child is out now via Mascot Records.
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