Welcome to The Saw’s Butcher Shop! Ya Girl, The Saw, is bringing you a Classic Review today; an album from the 80s, from one of the most influential “hair-bands” of the decade. This Review is inspired by my experience at Raleigh, NC’s Lone Rider Brewery, Djing their monthly Metal Night. May 2023’s Metal Night was an homage to the Glam (“Big Hair”) Metal of the 80s. And it was a lot of fun!

One of the bands from the era that was requested all night is Ratt. Though Ya Girl is known for airing THE HEAVIEST METAL ON THE PLANET, I love all Metal. And as an historian, I appreciate the bands from previous decades that helped make Metal what it is today. I am familiar with Ratt, personally, because both of my parents (Buzz-Saw and the O.G.) are big fans, seeing that they lived through the hey-day of the era. So, Your Master Butcher did some digging, researching the band, and found some really cool stuff in the process!

Ratt formed in Los Angeles, California in the ‘70s. From 1976 – 1981 the band was known as Mickey Ratt. It didn’t take long for the band to gain its classic (and famous) line-up – Stephen Pearcy (vocals) had been in various versions of the band since ’74. Robbin Crosby (guitars) joined in ’81. Warren DeMartini (guitars), Bobby Blotzer (drums), and Juan Croucier (ex-Dokken bass player) were added in ’82. 

Ratt enjoyed popularity in the early ‘80s, in the burgeoning L.A. Metal scene (lead by future super stars, Motley Crue). In 1983 the band released their self-titled EP via Time Coast Records, which quickly sold over 1,000 copies, helping Ratt to sell-out the circuit of Hollywood clubs. It was their debut full-length that brought national and worldwide success, 1984’s Out of the Cellar (Atlantic Records). This album is Ratt’s most popular record, with the most air-played tracks; songs which really have stood the test of time. 

You have to remember that, during this era, Metal enjoyed the favor of mainstream radio play. Ratt was a radio favorite, and Out of the Cellar had many songs that were favorites for listeners – “Wanted Man,” “You’re in Trouble,” Round and Round,” “Lack of Communication,” and “Back for More.” Another benefit of the times was MTV. Ratt and Out of the Cellar enjoyed heavy rotation on the platform, catapulting the band into stardom in a short period of time. They were selling-out stadiums on their world tour, and Out of the Cellar went triple platinum.

It has been said that, as musicians, you have your whole life to write your debut album, and only one year to write the follow-up, sophomore album. It is Ratt’s second studio album that I want to highlight, here. Invasion of Your Privacy was released in July 1985 (Atlantic). The musicianship, song writing, and performance on this record far exceeds their debut (IMO). While Out of the Cellar was more popular, and had more air-time, Invasion of Your Privacy had a more mature sound, and in many ways was a much heavier – more Metal – record. 

The twin-guitar attack of Ratt’s Crosby and DeMartini fused the groundbreaking guitar style of Eddie Van Halen with that of Metal pioneers Judas Priest. Incredible, speedy, soaring solos by both guitarists launch from a solid foundation of palm-muted riffs – this combination was perfected on Invasion of Your Privacy. Pearcy’s distinct and brilliant delivery is consistent throughout Ratt’s entire discography, as is the band’s rock-solid rhythm section. Every single track on this record is awesome! Just really fantastic riffs!

As is the case with many Metal bands, I think that Ratt found the perfect combination on their sophomore offering – each band member complimenting and inspiring the other. With such a strong front-man, everyone else has to step-up. Likewise, with such incredible guitarists, the front-man and rhythm section must match the energy. Furthermore, I sense that it was Invasion of Your Privacy, of the entire Ratt catalog, which was most influential for the impending “Speed Metal” phenomena. The musical composition is that good, here. The guitar riff intro to “Lay it Down” is the perfect example of a clear prototype for the Thrash template. Really, any track from this album could be an exhibit used for this argument. Invasion… is quintessential in the evolution of Metal. And though this classic line-up played on the next several albums, Ratt never matched or exceeded the perfection of this record. 

Track Listing:

1. You’re in Love
2. Never Use Love
3. Lay it Down
4. Give it All
5. Closer to My Heart
6. Between the Eyes
7. What You Give is What You Get
8. Got Me on the Line
9. You Should Know By Now
10. Dangerous but Worth the Risk

Ratt Studio Album Discography:

• Out of the Cellar – 1984
• Invasion of Your Privacy – 1985
• Dancing Undercover – 1986
• Reach for the Sky – 1988 
• Detonator – 1990 
• Ratt – 1999
• Infestation – 2010 

Rating: 10//10!! Prototype Thrash riffs! Excellent vocal delivery!

Favorite Songs: You’re in Love, Lay it Down, Between the Eyes, What You Give is What You Get 

Special Note:

• In 2001 Robbin Crosby announced that he was HIV-Positive. He died of a heroin overdose on June 6, 2002 at the age of 42. 

Stay Metal,

THE SAW