THY DISEASE

Rat Age [Sworn Kinds Final Verses]

Crash Music

7 / 10

Track listing:

01. Introduction #1
02. Prophecy
03. Earth Will Shake...
04. Enemies
05. Antidote
06. Life Form
07. Syndicate
08. Introduction #2
09. Fire Storm
10. Rat Age
11. Introduction #3
12. Unity

Poland continues to prove to the world the fertility of its metal underground; LOST SOUL, BEHEMOTH, VADER, and HATE just a few of the many that define that distinctive death metal sound. On "Rat Age [Sworn Kinds Final Verses]", THY DISEASE sounds like a band that can rightfully lay claim to its place among Poland's elite. Rather than going with a VADER-esque approach of death/thrash pummel (the keyboard accents/interludes on VADER's last couple of albums notwithstanding),THY DISEASE goes for a more accessible and groove-oriented approach that also incorporates electronics as a central component. Incidentally, the group features a couple of ex-members of SCEPTIC.

A concept album about "mankind's extermination and borders of humanity", the new album deftly combines a mechanized/industrial edge to its chug-riffs and taut rhythms. The vocal style of front man "Psycho" can be characterized as thick and semi-guttural, yet more decipherable than that of his country's counterparts. Aside from the expected electronic compositions (i.e. "Introduction #1", "Introduction #2", "Introduction #3", and the spooky and industrial album-closing bonus track "Unity"),songs like "Life Form" succeed thanks to a stuttering chug and rumbling bass line on the verse, as well as a catchy chorus. Shades of the new (electronic-peppered) HATE are heard on songs like "Earth will Shake..". Every one of the formal tracks boasts a big, though not over-produced, sound with a lot of "oomph!" Striking the balance between industrial coldness and death metal drive helps a great deal as well. The songwriting as a whole is better than average and rarely drags, making the album as a whole an easy one to absorb in one sitting.

"Rat Age" may not quite measure up to the latest albums by the above-mentioned bands, but it is a darn decent album just the same. To the band's credit, the sound created is fresh and vibrant, and the rhythmic heft will sound fantastic on virtually any stereo system. If you are new to the THY DISEASE sound (like me),your interest will be piqued enough to check out the group's earlier releases.

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