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Infest the Rats' Nest
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Infest the Rats' Nest Image
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 70 Ratings

  • Summary: The 15th full-length studio release for the Australian psychedelic rock band features heavy metal influences.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. AllMusic
    Aug 16, 2019
    80
    King Gizzard aren't sugarcoating anything, either musically or thematically, and that makes for their most timely and political album yet. It's also one of their most musically compelling and impressive, too, and that's saying a lot.
  2. Glide Magazine
    Aug 16, 2019
    80
    Their consistently unpredictable high standards keep the rest of us interested as well, and have turned them into something pretty special.
  3. PopMatters
    Aug 20, 2019
    80
    On Infest the Rats' Nest their garage rock roots are almost imperceptible, as they commit so heartily to thrash metal and produce an album placed firmly at the top of its genre.
  4. The 405
    Aug 22, 2019
    75
    By no means is Infest the Rats’ Nest the best ‘heavy’ album of the year, that honor is shared by Lingua Ignota and Baroness. But it’s not crazy to suggest that Infest the Rats’ Nest is one of the most valiant efforts of 2019, one that has only furthered the wondrous mystery of Melbourne’s beloved band.
  5. Clash Music
    Aug 20, 2019
    70
    Like most King Gizzard records, it runs out of steam in the second half, but when ‘Infest’ rips it rips as hard as some bands who have been making this music for decades. Like the modern thrash revivalists, King Gizzard combine youthful energy with enough of their own inimitable style to make this excursion into the cobwebbed world of thrash fresh and interesting.
  6. Classic Rock Magazine
    Aug 16, 2019
    70
    Frontman Stu Mackenzie nails a Hetfield-esque gurgle from the galloping, squiddle-spattered opener Planet B, and it’s hard to resist the rat-a-tat riff and stuttering vocal of Self-immolate or the insistent turbo-Sabbath churn of Mars For The Rich.
  7. New Musical Express (NME)
    Aug 21, 2019
    60
    Things do pick up with messy, closing tracks ‘Self-Immolate’ and ‘Hell’, but these are proficient rather than remarkable moments. Ultimately, it’s not enough to prevent ‘Infest The Rats’ Nest’ from feeling like a case of “look what we can do!” rather than a record fully realised.

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User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Chicky
    Aug 17, 2019
    10
    The fellas go from frolicking and boogying about birds to a chugging and churning trash metal extravaganza that belongs in the upper tier ofThe fellas go from frolicking and boogying about birds to a chugging and churning trash metal extravaganza that belongs in the upper tier of their discography. A brilliant detour for the band… Expand
  2. Danielbc
    Aug 18, 2019
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Stunning. king gizzard doing thrash in their very own style, one of the best record in their discography.… Expand
  4. BigRig
    Aug 16, 2019
    10
    Not usually a fan of this kind of music but **** me this thing goes HARD. I'd give it an 11 if I could.
  5. jakfromrva
    Aug 26, 2019
    9
    Actually really fun thrash metal. And still sounds like king gizzard too. Great story line and lyrics as well.
  6. Richypaisano
    Aug 16, 2019
    9
    there is not too much to say
    Just an amazing "in your face, album"
    OOOOOOOOOOHHHHH/10
  7. HG_Kitara
    Dec 1, 2020
    9
    One of the best metal albums I have heard. KIng Gizz ace their heaviest and most distorted sound to date. Set in a dystopian future (but basedOne of the best metal albums I have heard. KIng Gizz ace their heaviest and most distorted sound to date. Set in a dystopian future (but based on modern happenings), Infest the rats nest describes a world on its last legs, with death almost certain to anyone who stays on Earth. As a result voyagers aim to inhabit what they know is the dangerous planet of Venus. For both voyages, the journey does not end well, but sets up beautifully to what could be a potential sequel, the invasion of the rich on mars. This story is backed by thunderous drums, screaming riffs and some fantastic vocals. A must listen to any rock fan.… Expand
  8. inoffensive
    Feb 4, 2020
    7
    overall pretty good .

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Awards & Rankings

81
#81 Most Discussed Album of 2019