June 2021 sees the return of the beardos in Crobot with their latest EP Rat Child (Mascot Label Group), a mix of pieces that could have appeared on Motherbrain in an alternate universe and products of the pandemic and long distance friendships. You’re lucky if I bother to actually put on pants, much less try to engage in any kind of creative endeavor over Zoom/Skype/smoke signal so I have to give credit where credit is due. 

Featuring Frank Bello of Anthrax, the opening track ‘Mountain’ is a great way to open the EP. This song is catchy and brings up the energy from the very beginning. Here’s another thing, I rarely bother with music videos but I love the one for ‘Mountain’. It’s an awesome, low budget, space viking adventure. I eat that kind of dorky stuff up and it’s worth checking out if you haven’t seen it already.

Originally considered for Motherbrain, the world finally gets to dig into ‘Kiss It Goodbye’ in earnest. This has a bit of a darker tone overall but keeps the expected Crobot sleaze alive and well. I like the eruption of Howard Jones‘ vocals on this and wish there were more. I was a bit surprised because I have never really been interested in Jones’ prior work in the more metalcore world but I have to give it to him, he has some pipes. I may have to revist his catalog.

Onto ‘Everyone Dies’…I actually really love this. It’s reminescent of a cheesy, 80’s power ballad which, with Stix Zadinia involved, should really be no surprise. If I’m being honest, this reminds me a bit of Faith No More. Now that could make for a fun combination. Put Mike (Patton) and Brandon (Yeagley) in a room together, and see what weird sounds they produce. Maybe release some bees into the room for a little spice.

It’s hot, it’s spicy, it’s the title track…’Rat Child’! You already know that bass line had me hooked from the very beginning. Friends are fun but this has to be my favorite off the entire EP. It’s greasy and sleazy and leaves me wanting more. When you have a good formula, you really don’t need to mess with it much to strike gold. Perhaps this is a taste of things to come.

I’ll be frank, I didn’t quite know what to expect with this EP. I always worry that bringing outside influences into this I already enjoy will ruin them because I’m old and set in my ways. However, Rat Child is a nice blend of old and new coming together to build a fun, if all too short, listen.

Buy the album here: https://smarturl.it/Crobot-Band

7 / 10

ALEIDA LA LLAVE