What a seriously excellent release, regardless of its aural brevity, from Trap Them (whom are quickly becoming a stalwart outfit in the independent punk / hardcore / metal genres). Relentless touring, passion, and good records will do that for bands sometimes. Particularly if they do so in same furious manner this band has. Filth Rations, though, is different from other records from Trap Them. Now, I know that they were not always on Deathwish, but the change in aesthetic on this release is certainly evident. Particularly in the Jason Bartlett cover artwork and the vinyl etching on the back of the vinyl is a nice touch.
Do not worry my friends, Trap Them have not altered their sound (this is not the band doing a doom version of the band or anything to that effect). But rather the band continues its intent to crush and drive us all into utter submission with their vicious sound. Listening to Filth Rations is akin to taking a joyride and feeling the turbocharger kick in for 20 minutes or so straight. The bass is full on crushing (the type of bass you can feel in your chest), the guitars cut just right, the drums are powerful as hell, and the vocals are downright caustic. “Day Forty: Dead Fathers Wading In The Bodygrounds” just might be my favorite song Trap Them has produced and with good reason. It is brutish and noisy, but has less of the pedal to the floor speed of many of the rest of the band’s songs, making it a breath of fresh air that still sounds like the band.
Honestly, there is something about this release that other Trap Them records never quite got over me (and I still do not understand exactly what it is because the other records are definitely good). Filth Rations just seems to be or has that little indescribable something extra that makes holding the record in your hand that much extra worth it or special. There is definitely one aspect of the record that I am certain of and that is Filth Rations is easily my favorite offering from Trap Them yet, and this four-song blast may be tough for the band to beat. It has become the record I show to people who ask me what to start with from the group.
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