HEALTH : "RAT WARS"

 While searching for this album online today I saw a comment on Reddit that described it as 'The Downward Spiral" for people with two monitors, which made me laugh. I heard the bulk of these songs as they were released, and hearing the band's full vision unfolded in this manner is even better. The album opens with "DEMIGODS" which is both more melodically atmospheric and heavier than previous releases, with a bit of a synth wave vibe haunting it. The metallic guitar has more drive than what we have heard from these guys. There is a more deliberately industrial beat that drives "FUTURE OF HELL".  Jake Duzsik's trademark androgynous coo, hovers around the music, as it has typically done with Demi Lovato producer Stint giving the vocals more attention than they received from past releases. 

The groove of the synth propelling "HATEFUL" works really well to create an ambiance that is both tense and explosive. "OF ALL ELSE'" works off of a throb that is similar to that of the previous song. The vocals are mixed further in the background. Its experimental drone is the first weak spot we have heard from them in some time, though it still makes for interesting listening. The dynamic guitar forward "CRACK METAL" has a more manic underpinning. "UNLOVED" moves in a darker direction that is shrouded in steamy synths,. The detached mood the vocals convey is more pronounced here. It makes things feel like a metal version of the Pet Shop Boys. 

"CHILDREN OF SORROW" has an absolute ripper of a riff that kicks the song into motion. "Sicko" is even more crushing as they collaborate with Godflesh. "ASHAMED" is the album's poppiest moment, but also a perfectly crafted song that makes the pop sensibilities their strength. 'DSM-V" taps into the despondency reflected back into society as the lyrics take the familiar turn into their typical sardonic musing in this regard. The album closes with the closest I have heard them come to dipping into a ballad. This time it makes me think of Placebo. I will round this up to a 10, as there are some elements of the more ambient portions like "OFF ALL ELSE" that feel more like interludes which I can see growing on me, but everything else is the refinement of perfection. This album is out on Lorna Vista.