span class=’rb’>Ratos de Porão have been part of the Brazilian punk and thrash scenes for twenty-six years, being on Roadrunner during that label’s pre-running-joke period and currently enjoying a relationship with Alternative Tentacles. In keeping with my patchwork knowledge of metal pieced together by a habit of buying from thrift stores and hock shops, receiving promos and buying the occasional full-price album, this is the first time I’ve heard Ratos de Porão. You can tell I’m very "hip," "with it" and "23 skiddoo."

I didn’t know what to expect with Homem Inimigo do Homem. My expectations were leaning more towards a weak "modern" thrash album and/or D.R.I. variant. Needless to say, I was surprised with Homem Inimigo do Homem in that Ratos de Porão were a lot heavier than I expected. The album, while still straddling a line between thrash and hardcore punk, doesn’t sound dated. Ratos de Porão are playing "proper" crossover thrash with a few nods to modern conventions, and for the most part they know how to mix the styles together on Homem Inimigo do Homem.

For a band about as old as I am Ratos de Porão bely their age (the current lineup - aside from the bassist - has been around since 1990) as they sound suitably energetic and angry. Vocalist/founding bandmember João Gordo’s bellow is forceful without being strained, though he is a bit monotonous at times. The guitars are aggressive without delving into more modern death metal styles. While Ratos de Porão don’t go for the everything-all-at-once approach of bands like Raebelliun and Krisiun, Homem Inimigo do Homem is far from a worthless purchase. Gordo doesn’t give a shit and the album is testament to his outspokenness.

Considering the usual slide of established bands towards putting out increasingly worthless, legacy-insulting crap Ratos de Porão seem to be bucking the trend. I’m intrigued enough by Homem Inimigo do Homem to check out some of the earlier Ratos de Porão albums, just to see if my opinion has merit. By the way, I don’t care that João Gordo is fat and works for MTV Brasil as a VJ. I can’t see how any reasonably sane person would get pissed off over that as opposed to something like the music being shit. Me and my crazy theories. They’re going to get me in trouble, man.

Written By: The Ultimate Mark