The Finnish post-hardcore band Rats Will Feast has released the single "Observer" as the first preview of their new EP. The track features guest vocals by Simo from Dome Runner. The EP, titled "An Evocation," is set for release on April 3, 2026, by Time To Kill Records.
Rats Will Feast, a Finnish post-hardcore band, introduced their new single "Observer" on February 10, 2026. This track serves as the initial offering from their forthcoming EP, "An Evocation," scheduled for release by Time To Kill Records on April 3, 2026. The single includes guest vocals from Simo of the band Dome Runner.
The EP's tracklist comprises six songs: "First Snow," "Burns Cold," "Observer," "Smartless," "Frail Bones," and "An Evocation." According to descriptions, "An Evocation" represents the band's diverse and imaginative take on modern metallic hardcore. It marks their most concise expression of their intended sound, drawing from a dense and varied soundscape developed over the band's 10-year history.
Musically, the EP balances intense aggression with melodic elements. It begins with the tranquil soundscapes of "First Snow," which soon shifts to the band's hallmark of extreme volatility and chaos. Tracks such as "Smartless" and "Frail Bones" feature blistering beats and frenzied riffs, while "Observer" and the title track deliver a crushing heaviness. Overall, the release maintains a focused hardcore intensity infused with emotion.
Lyrically, "An Evocation" explores a mindscape seeking acceptance amid life's realities. Unlike common heavy metal themes of dystopias or fantasies, the songs yearn for refuge in the world's turmoil. The words depict fluctuations between acceptance and resentment, capturing a universal process. Between the lines, they ponder the motivations for repeated stage performances and the value of channeling pain through heavy music into something beautiful and manageable.