21 July 2026
Band: THE RATS
Who: 5-piece hit team
from Ghent, Belgium.
Last March, these combative dogs released
their razorblade-sharp debut LP Boxing Days.
TUTV said: “The rat race is on. Time to get up, stand up, and fight for your right to start
a moshpit whenever and wherever you are, alone or with like-minded fanatics the moment Boxing Days torpedoes your ears.”
Then they played several blistering gigs to share their firstborn with their manic fans.
Last night as part of their hometown’s yearly massive festivities, they went back to their early days, playing in a small bar. Needless to say, the place was packed. We got trapped like sardines, but enjoyed every single whirlwind second.
The Rats‘ unbridled intensity and revved-up energy have an earsplitting impact.
As usual, furious frontman Emile is the maddening force upfront. He spits, sneers
and barks like a tireless pitbull, and he sweats like a punk pig. His shirt got soaking
wet in no time.
Off-stage he’s as sweet as Dr. Jekyll, on a podium he turns into a badass Mr. Hyde
bastard. His inexhaustible vitality combined with the bulldozing artillery behind
him went through the low roof while a sauna temperature got us all heated up.
When the thunderous turbo closed their steaming set with red-hot live favorite Old Flames everybody on and off stage was out of breath. It was a triumphant hometown blast. Hands down. Many absentees will soon claim that they were there.
BUY/STREAM ALBUM