ninehertz

Noise Merchant Records is a treasure trove of little heard punk from across the globe, re-running the unknowns that their wide cast and in the know ears feel deserving of a wider audience, adding in a nice bespoke tape release to go with it. Even those not altogether into punk will find something there of interest and enjoyment - everything is worth listening to, and then occasionally something they pop out of nowhere brightens your day, normally across an average of 17 minutes of break neck vitriol. And so it is I found Lab Rat.

"THE LYRICS ARE ANGRIER AND THE RHYTHM IS PUMMELING YET GROOVY AS HELL"

The band's own description for this album, released digitally only a month earlier, contains the above snippet, copied like for like, caps n all. It describes their evolution from their first release, which I wasn't party to until now, but also what they now bring and it's an accurate opening sentence if you're wondering what to expect; and an appetiser to stay if you're only checking in because you're wondering if this is a return of the UK hardcore and sludge band of the early 00s (it isn't; this Lab Rat are from Portland).

The whole album is alive, crust punk that is heavy, kinetically unstable and absolutely wired, messy as punk should be, but tight too - this is all out there, but no pissing around. There are stand out tracks (Visions of War, Death of Hope), but only just - those only marginally poking their head above the mean which is lurching to the upper registers throughout, nine tracks across less than thirteen minutes that are so engagingly adrenaline fused - and undeniably fun - that it feels much longer.

I wasn't halfway through before I was clicking to buy one of the lovingly crafted card cased tapes. By the time penultimate song Visions of War was ripping through, I was in full on (in my head, on my sofa) mosh and head nodding and smiling mode. A perfect example of why we in the UK should be grateful of Noise Merchant's stellar service, and a super band to keep an eye on from now on.