Originally written by Jason Jordan.
Do you like crushing death metal from Polish stalwarts such as Vader, Behemoth, Decapitated, Lost Soul, and others? If so, have you ever wondered what would happen if a band were to take that particular sound and industrialize it? Well, even though we’re late to the party – considering Rat Age is their fourth full-length in five years – lend your ear to Thy Disease, a quartet rounded out by Anal Stench/ex-Sceptic members.
Introduction aside, “Prophecy” includes all of what can be expected when the phrase “industrial death metal” is used as a tagline for Rat Age: fabricated clinks and clanks of an industrial setting and speedy death metal, which, when welded together, produce a mechanized feel and sound as that of working machinery. Instead of bombarding the listener with synth effects, however, Thy Disease wield them intelligently and sparingly to either complement the instruments, provide a respite between growled lines, or add emphasis when and where it’s needed. Still, a composition like “Earth Will Shake” has no trouble living up to its name because the music punishes by continually hammering away, yet avoiding repetitiveness.
At the same time, Rat Age isn’t groundbreaking in the originality department. In fact, their approach is formulaic, but since the positive attributes outweigh the negatives, Thy Disease live up to the reputation inadvertently constructed by previous and current representatives of Poland. Besides their fellow countrymen, though, TD periodically bring to mind Fear Factory (double-bass drumming), Nile (riffing in “Enemies”), and Zyklon (tempos), but are certainly more rooted in death than industrial. In addition to regular songs, there are a few interludes scattered about that make for welcomed breathers between processed offensives.
While Rat Age does indeed pale when held up to efforts by other Polish acts, Thy Disease are quite exhilarating. Their latest easily holds one’s attention, and in true masochistic fashion, you’ll return for more. Despite the lack of innovation, it’s encouraging to witness Crash Music beefing up their roster with quality (Abysmal Dawn, Vicious Circle, etc.) rather than the discouraging alternative.
