Tag: Warren DeMartini
3 RATT – Infestation (2010)
Man oh Mercy! What is going on in the RATT Camp? RATT’s new album Infestation sounds like a return to 1987 when rock was fun, and this merry band of rodent rockers were amongst the biggest bands of the hair metal era. Infestation is easily RATT’s best album since 1985’s Invasion of Your Privacy.
I must admit that I didn’t have high hopes for this CD. My memory of RATT’s last album, their self titled effort from ’99, still lingers in my memory. Needless to say, I didn’t care for it very much. Luckily Infestation has quickly made me remember the RATT of old. Warren DeMartini’s blazing guitar solos are back, and are a pleasure to hear once more. Carlos Cavazo seems to do a pretty good job trading off licks with Warren. Stephen Pearcy’s vocals are on point. He hasn’t sounded this good in quite some time.
Any way you look at it, RATT has some renewed energy, and the songs on Infestation shine as a result. Chances are, you may have heard “Eat Me Up Alive”, and “Best of Me” (See video below), and if so, you already know that Infestation has two big hit worthy tunes to lead off the CD. The fun doesn’t end there. “Look Out Below” sounds like the cousin of “Way Cool Jr”. “Lost Weekend” kind of reminds me of “Lack of Communication”. This is a very catchy tune, that seems like it would have been better served with the name, “Rock Steady” instead.
DeMartini’s playing has always been awesome, and his bluesy licks on “Garden of Eden” are awesome. You need to listen to this one multiple times to fully appreciate his guitar work here. “Take A Big Bite” is a monster tune from RATT. The layered guitar riffs on this song are pretty incredible. This song is going to get a lot of play from me.
‘Take Me Home” is the slowest song on Infestation, and one of the only ones that has keyboards. Thankfully, this song does NOT fall into the power ballad trap, and is a very solid tune. I probably would have mixed this song more towards the middle of the album to break up the pace a little bit more, but it works nonetheless.
The Bottom Line: Infestation is a return to form for RATT. The band has returned to their classic sound, and have ripped out another great album, that is easily one of their best. If you have ever been a fan of the band, you owe it to yourself to go out and pick this disc up as soon as possible. Infestation rocks!!
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Eat Me Up Alive
2. Best Of Me
3. A Little Too Much
4. Look Out Below
5. Last Call
6. Lost Weekend
7. As Good As It Gets
8. Garden Of Eden
9. Take A Big Bite
10. Take Me Home
11. Don’t Let Go
RATT is:
Stephen Pearcy – Lead Vocals
Warren DeMartini – Guitar and Vocals
Carlos Cavazo – Guitar and Vocals
Robbie Crane – Bass
Bobby Blotzer – Drums
2 New Video – RATT – Best of Me
6 Prizoner & RATT Concert Review
RATT & Roll returned to Cincinnati last Thursday Night. Two local acts opened this show, A Nervous Wreck, and Prizoner. I made it to Annies shortly after Prizoner started playing, so I can’t say how A Nervous Wreck’s set went, but Prizoner was on fire Thursday Night.
Prizoner’s set included covers by The Cult, AC/DC, Buckcherry, Kix, Cinderella, Puddle of Mudd, Skid Row, Tesla, Iron Maiden and a damn good cover of Motley Crue’s Saints of Los Angeles, as well as their own original tune, White Knuckle Ride. Prizoner has been a staple in the Cincinnati rock scene since the 80’s, and they did a fantastic job at getting the crowd pumped up and ready to see RATT.
Prizoner was so good that I though RATT would be a let down, after their excellent set. This was not the case tonight. Prizoner set the crowd up, and RATT tore the roof off of the club.
I have seen RATT twice in 2007, and Stephen Pearcy with his solo band in December. Each time, I thought Pearcy’s voice was a little better than the last time I saw him. His voice was damn near perfect this time around. I made a point to stand on the side of the stage where Warren DeMartini was playing. I am quite glad I did. His playing and solos were quite impressive.
Robby Crane might just be the best bass player RATT has ever had. Does this guy ever stand still during a show? His bass combined with Bobby Blotzer’s drums sounded great all night.
John Corabi played rhythm guitar and sang backup to Stephen Pearcy. I never noticed how much Corabi was singing until this show. I hope he doesn’t leave the band as it has been rumored of late. He will be greatly missed if he does quit RATT.
RATT played a pretty good selection of their hits including Tug of War, You’re In Love, Way Cool Jr., Lack of Communication, Lay It Down, Wanted Man, Back For More, a cover of Aerosmith’s Walkin’ The Dog, Nobody Rides For Free and a few other tunes that I can’t recall.
They also did an encore of Body Talk and Round & Round.
I didn’t decide to hit this show until a couple of days before. It was a great concert for a club show. I was glad I went. If I had any complaints at all, it would have wished RATT would have played longer.
Don’t miss RATT if they head your way. They have a few shows left on this tour.
I have included videos from RATT’s encore of Body Talk and Round and Below.
Check them out!
| 8/10/08 | Charter One Pavillion | Chicago, IL | w/ Scorpions |
| 8/16/08 | TBA | Acoma, NM | |
| 8/29/08 | Rock The Bayou | Houston, TX | |
| 8/31/08 | TBA | Calgary, Albera | |
| 10/25/08 | TBA | Norman, OK |
