Band:	Mustasch
Album:	RatSafari
Style:	Heavy metal
Release date:	September 2003

01. Stinger Citizen
02. Black City
03. Unsafe At Any Speed
04. Ratsafari
05. 6:36
06. The Deadringer
07. Fredrika
08. Alpha Male
09. Mareld
10. Lone Song (Reclusion)
11. Monday Warrior

Some of the most enjoyable albums I have ever listened to were at 5 in the morning after an all-nighter. The mix of sleep deprivation and euphoria makes some albums shine a little bit more (the effect is really noticeable with Isis and Mar de Grises). The first time I heard Mustasch's second full-length release, "Rat Safari" was during one such morning. To be fair, the album required another listen after a full night's sleep to make sure I was not just hearing endorphins. My opinion has not changed much with the follow-up listen.

No need to worry yourself with subgenre questions here. This is meat and potatoes hard rock/heavy metal. Riff-driven song structure along with dead-on drumming. Ralf's vocals are exactly where they need to be to match the tone of the songs, and he steps outside his normal range enough to keep things interesting. The band just fits together so well, and the production keeps everything in balance and professional without sounding fake. References can be heard and comparisons can be made throughout the album. The start of "Dead Ringer" in particular brings Soundgarden's "Jesus Christ Pose" to mind, while the beginning guitar of "Unsafe at Any Speed" would fit well on a Dozer release.

Nothing groundbreaking, but really enjoyable and accessible if you like a good riff once and a while in between the constant barrage of finger-tap bands we've been having these days (not that there is anything wrong with that either). This is one for fans of Fireball Ministry, Grand Magus, and Dozer.

Favorite Tracks: "Rat Safari" and "6:36"