HEALTH Vinyl & CDs

Review: LA based industrial trio HEALTH have had quite the curious trajectory from their confrontational noise-rock beginnings, to providing the acclaimed score to Max Payne 3, all the way to redefining themselves as a gritty, synth-metal behemoth on 2019's Vol 4: Slaves Of Fear. Following on from their lockdown-inspired two-part Disco 4 collaborative project which boasted cuts written in tandem with artists ranging from a multitude of differing sonic spheres, such as alternative hip-hop (JPEGMAFIA, Ghostemane) to hyperpop (100 Gecs) and even grindcore (Full Of Hell), their latest endeavour appears to be taking cues from both their more vicious experiments as well as their newfound collaborative ethos. With features from the likes of Godflesh and Willie Adler of Lamb Of God, whilst embracing both their metallic and techno-leaning indulgences simultaneously, Rat Wars promises to distil the myriad of components essential to the sonic makeup of HEALTH into one oppressive, melancholic, hellish, absorbing and vital collection.

Review: Ever since Los Angeles noise-rock trio HEALTH provided the score to Rockstar Games' Max Payne 3, both their sonic and career paths have veered down a direction that avid early fans still have trouble reconciling. Shifting from predominantly instrumental, spasmodic chaos to a unique form of laser-focused, industrial metalwave; their 2019 opus Vol 4: Slaves Of Fear newly established them as the ultimate electronic act for metal fans. While lockdown led to the Disco 4 collaborative albums, split into two separate volumes and boasting a remarkably dynamic array of features from the likes of alt hip-hop guru JPEGMAFIA, trap-metal phenom Ghostemane, hyperpop absurdist duo 100 Gecs, industrial overlords Nine Inch Nails and even groove metal legends Lamb Of God, their fifth full-length Rat Wars draws on the insidious influence from these more aggressive collaborators while simultaneously offering some of their most vulnerable, melancholic and fragile material to date. Complete with a Godflesh sample, it's rather fitting when considering HEALTH's attempts to marry such disparate yet equally punishing sonics mirrors Justin Broadrick's forays from decades ago. Grinding, mechanical percussion fuses to ethereal, androgynous vocals all drowned within EBM sickliness, whilst unpacking utterly nihilistic worldviews. Imagine Placebo or The Pet Shop Boys writing an album with Ministry, and you may start to have an idea of the war you're heading into...