I love Ratt! There, I got that out in the open and I am stating my bias up front for this CD review. Infestation is the latest CD Stephen Pearcy and the “Ratt pack” have NEVER sounded better. One would think with nearly 11 years between CDs this would be a non-event at best; but if that is your opinion then you will be eating your words from beginning to end.
In starting this review I think it best if I tell you what this CD is not. It is not “Out of the Cellar 2”, it is not “Invasion of Your Privacy Cont’d” and is no “Still Reaching For The Sky”. It is Ratt to the core, but it is Ratt 2010. This means it has every component of that makes Ratt who they are but it contains a newness that makes it seem as though the band has emerged stronger and better than ever.
Infestation opens with “Eat Me Up Alive” and the new six string dynamic duo Warren DeMartini’s and (former Quiet Riot’s) Carlos Cavazo’s ultra heavy opening guitar riff instanly smashes you in the face and knocks you on your butt. Stephen Pearcy is at the top of his game as he belts out some his best vocals with rockers “A Little Too Much” and “As Good As It Gets”. Drummer Bobby Blotzer and Bassist Robbie Crane continue to keep things tight in the rhythm section. It is not until the final track “Don’t Let God” that the guys have produced what I would consider one of the best Ratt tracks ever! It’s a perfect way to close out a nearly perfect CD.
All in all Infestation is a spectacular CD! Being a product of the 80’s and slowly a fan of modern rock I find Ratt’s Infestation to be among the top releases of 2010. Hopefully this is just preview of what is to come in the future. If the pack can keep this up I can see the second half of their illustrious career being just as memorable as the days when hair ruled the airwaves. Ratt fans get out and get this little gem it will be worth every cent.
