#waterlogged acoustic is the sound of the summer

[smittyw]

bonus mermay posting, dont wander around the shallows at 4am or youll hear somethin weird and u wont come back

[doomedandstoned]

Indy’s Rat King Impress in Tempestuous LP, ‘Omen’

~Doomed & Stoned Debuts~

By Billy Goate

Album Art by Candy Meadows-Daily

Dark, murky, and ideal for a humid summer night, these are the fierce and hearty strains of the RAT KING. Born in the old stomping grounds of the original Doomed & Stoned Festival at the late-great 5th Quarter Lounge, the Indianapolis-based foursome has been kicking dirt in the cracks and fissures of the heavy underground since at least 2016, when their demo came to life.

After several well-received EPs, the band is ready to lay their first full-fledged full-length on us. "Nepeta Divinorum" opens up the aptly titled 'Omen' (2021) with a mood of candles and ritualism. If my year of Latin in middle school still serves me well, the title translates "Wild Divine." Look for clues throughout the album, as there appears to be something of a concept at play throughout the record.

"Supernova" carries on the mysterious, urgent climate of its predecessor, drawing from the Electric Wizard school of doom with a similarly nihilistic tone ("There's nothing left / There's left for me").

The ocean has long fascinated us (Spelljammer recently devoted a whole album to this concept, as long have German doomers Ahab). "Capsizer" is a most interesting song, which seems to be about the spirits of a storm-tossed vessel who go on to become a part of the depths ("I will breathe the ocean's light / I will find a path for those who died"). Again, the atmosphere is as waterlogged as you could ask for, this time with a mix vocals that are at once yearning, pissed off, even worshipful.

Omen thus far has been nothing if not dank, so it's refreshing to have a reprieve from the storm clouds with "Queen Anne's Revenge," an acoustic interlude that's over far too soon, but this reference to 18th century Queen of Great Britain and Ireland yet bear a clue to the album's touch-and-go theme. It is but the lull before the torrential downfall of "Druid Crusher," which comes at us like a slow-building tsunami, Kyle Wilcher's fierce pipes blasting out like hurricane force winds. Pure catharsis!

A higher power Guides you lower I'll see you cower I'll put you under

I'm the druid crusher I'll see you suffer

"Vagrant" returns to the muted, acid-soaked songstyle of the opening track, which reminds me of early Uncle Acid & the deadbeats and Salem's Pot. The vocal harmonies ala Torche and Foot-like chorus were an unexpected surprise (the felicitous partnership of Kyle Wilcher and rhythm guitarist Jason Wilcher) making this perhaps my favorite song of the lot. Andrei Stirbu's guitar work is quite convincing, with several beautiful breakout solo moments. THe longest song of the lot, "Vagrant" is not short of surprises, with slow headbanking moment's a plenty.

Things will not be the same Just another reason why I feel so betrayed And you just give reasons why

Another short acoustic follows called "Shackleton," which like it's companion calls attention to another historical figure, Antaartic pioneering Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton. This serves as a most fitting introduction to the massive slab of riffage that is "Glacier." Strange, forlorn tones greet us, with most effective basswork from Nick Graman who has been fantastic throughout, as has the steady guiding rhythmic hands of percussionist Kyle Wilcher (yes, he drums as well as sings!).

And just like that, the record is over, followed by a brief coda which sounds for all the world like a salty, old-time pup somewhere near a port, real or ghostly.

"We worked very hard and for a very long time to make this a reality," the band tells Doomed & Stoned, "and so we couldn’t be happier to finally present our debut album Omen! Thanks so much for your support!"

As are we to premiere the album for you today in these pages. Look for Rat King's Omen to make its public release this weekend (pre-order).

Give ear...

Omen by Rat King

Some Buzz

Formed in 2016 in Evansville, IN, members Andrei Stirbu (lead guitar), Kyle Wilcher (drums/lead vocals), Jason Wilcher (rhythm guitar/backing vocals), and Nick Graman (bass), learned together and grew together as a band. Drawing inspiration from their metal forefathers Black Sabbath, Windhand, Conan, Electric Wizard, Sleep, and Kyuss, the band has explored heavier and darker themes throughout their evolution.

Drawing from the depths of gloom, Rat King’s latest endeavor delves into the stark and pallid recesses of the mind and the fallible nature of mankind.

'Omen' (2021) is a largely heavier and more orchestrated body of work than their previous releases, including their debut EP “Barren” (2017). The album is driven by haunting, emotive vocals — an increasingly rare commodity in a metal scene so committed to harsher styles of singing. The low tuning and methodical pace of each track draws the listener into the shadows and holds them to the very last note.

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