R.F.E.

Rabid Flesh Eaters

The idea of a collective is a group of a shared mindset wherein each member […]
By Quinten Serna
July 8, 2020
Rabid Flesh Eaters - R.F.E. album cover

The idea of a collective is a group of a shared mindset wherein each member contributes in time, ideas, and talent towards a common goal or agenda; I believe, through empirical experiment, that the idea of a band is perhaps one of the greatest forms of this-a musical venture supported by performance; and, by further inference, the Metal band is an even greater form of such as the emphasis behind the musical worth is centered around honesty. As such, RABID FLESH EATERS, is themselves an interesting coalition, to say the least-that their music and lineup, at least to some degree, has withstood the test of time and terror is nothing short of miraculous and serves as even greater evidence the strength of their resolves as "R.F.E."-a clever digression from being strictly eponymous-marks the band's sophomore album at over 30 years since their inception.

"Vengeance (Of Nightmares)" opens with a false introduction of noise before the drums open the floor for the guitars to barrel through unhindered-unvexed by the absence of a full band the guitars never relent in their caustic and hastened pulsing. "Hallucinations" departs from the approach of its predecessor, in its stead opting for a buildup shared between strings and groove before the main riff is set loose near the 1 minute mark. The track of the hour, "R.F.E." has a start-stop rhythm to its opening before the verse wrests attention; the whole of the track is exceptionally well balanced in reference to musical composition moving in and out of modulations with ease, as well as into different times and themes further diversifying the track into something grand. "Welcome To Your Funeral" is a straightforward track focused on dancing around intricacies between the strings and groove; an instrumental through and through the song bounces and bounds between different ideas and approaches within the song never letting the listener gather any idea of sameness.

The overall abilities of the group cannot be understated, theirs is a soundscape composed of broken glass, caustic aggregate, and an overarching sense of exasperation; the instruments are well recorded and mixed, far from perfect but damn fine. The guitars crisp, clear, and gritty tell the story of aggression and its ilk; the bass is powerful, stoic, loud, and crafts a grand foundation for the rest of the band to build off of; the drums are captivating to say the least, changing their approach in every song depending on what works best, rather than just the simple Thrash trope of a barrage of snares; and lastly the vocals are crafted to mold to the music, as such they fill that niche and then some.

The sickening shrill ripple of metal grinding upon metal pales in comparison to the ferocity of, RABID FLESH EATERS; the album has a great amount of diversity and musical merit, though using "The Fall" as a reprise didn't strengthen the album by any regards. If you have a penchant towards anything Loud or Heavy this album is something that can't be missed.

7 / 10

Good

Songwriting

7

Musicianship

7

Memorability

8

Production

7
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"R.F.E." Track-listing:

1. Vengeance (Of Nightmares)
2. Halluciantions
3. R.F.E.
4. The Fall
5. Demons Within
6. Die In Pain
7. Welcome To Your Funeral
8. Contagious Contamination
9. The Fall (Video Cut)

Rabid Flesh Eaters Lineup:

John Hill - Bass
AJ Tate - Drums
Mike Taylor - Guitars
Ricky Wilson - Vocals

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