After a few years under the name Divide, the band renamed itself Rats Of Gomorrah.
Daniel Stelling (guitar/bass/vocals) and Moritz Paulsen (drums) sign with Testimony Records to make the change, which results in an album, Infectious Vermin.
The combo attacks without delay with Swarming Death, which asserts its bloody energetic Old School roots, combining blast, double kick and a fairly jerky rhythm in the riffs and vocal parts. There are also a few backing vocals on some of the cries, as on Face No Consequence, which remains in the same lively yet catchy vein, allowing the musicians to unleash their full force without difficulty. We find ourselves taken by surprise on the acceleration before the final chorus, then Tails Unknown comes along to stomp us in turn with a few melancholy touches that diversify this wave of raw power. This is followed by the thick rhythm of Narcissus, which combines slowness and heaviness throughout, before Rise from the Abyss offers an interesting keyboard interlude that flirts with an Industrial ambience. It is however quickly replaced by Rattenkönigin, where the Swedish roots are brought to the fore, creating heady melodies that stand in interesting contrast to the brutality, skilfully blending the two worlds. Night Orbit shows us darkness and oppression, which the band weaves together with ominous touches to complement the power of its riffs, but the track comes to an end pretty quickly, and we’re soon confronted with the intoxicating harmonics of Asleep on a Dagger, which knows how to motivate perfectly. Everything about this track calls for frenetic headbanging, and so do the Death/Thrash influences of Strychnos, which once again look to the Nordic scene for complementary, gentle leads, making this one of the most enjoyable tracks on the album. Towers, Ropes and Knives follows in a rather different vein, blending an impressive approach with blistering guitars, before returning to a breathless, mysterious atmosphere with Judas Goat, which adds that touch of blasphemy to an already angry composition. The track meanders easily between all the nuances of violence, from the heavy solo influences to the heavy break, then gives way to Cosmicide and its regular strikes interspersed with a few more ethereal parts, and finally to Vat of Acid, which closes the album with ever more dark, dissonant harmonics that tint the rage perfectly.
Rats Of Gomorrah is the epitome of Death Metal. In Infections Vermin, we have Swedish influences, disturbing melodies, raw violence, diverse roots… Forty-five minutes, and the whole spectrum is explored.
95/100

A few questions to Daniel Stelling, guitarist and vocalist with the band Rats of Gomorrah, about the release of their new album, Infectious Vermin.
Hello and first of all, thank you very much for your time! How could you introduce the band Rats of Gomorrah without using the words “Death Metal”?
Daniel Stelling (guitar/vocals): Thanks for having us! Rats of Gomorrah is a no-compromise, riff-heavy two-piece that thrives on chaos, aggression, and an overwhelming sense of rawness. We mix feral energy with bleak atmospheres, creating music that gnaws at your sanity while making you bang your head. We’re the soundtrack to an apocalyptic infestation—grim, filthy, and unstoppable.
The band was previously named Divide, and changed its identity back in 2023. Why did you decide on such a change and how did you come to this name? How do you link it to the music you play now?
Daniel: The name change wasn’t just cosmetic—it reflected our evolution. Divide was a full band, and as the lineup shrank to just Moritz (Paulsen, the band’s drummer, ed.) and me, the sound became more focused and primal. Rats of Gomorrah came from one of our old songs and perfectly captures our vibe: dark, pestilent, and crawling with menace. Riffing on the biblical chaos of Gomorrah but injecting it with the filth and cunning of rats just felt right. It’s not just a name; it’s a declaration of the gnarly, sinister tone of our music now.
The band is about to release its new album, Infectious Vermin. How do you feel about it? Do you already have any feedback?
Daniel: We’re stoked. It’s been a long time coming, and the feedback (reviews) so far has been really encouraging—people seem to love the ferocity and the riffs. There’s this unique mix of anxiety and excitement right before an album drops, but we’re ready to unleash it. It’s like setting a swarm of rats loose on the world.
How would you sum Infectious Vermin’s identity up in only three words?
Daniel: Filthy, relentless, infectious.
How did the creation process happen for Infectious Vermin? Were there any differences compared to when the band was named Divide?
Daniel: It’s definitely different now. Back in the old Divide days, writing was a one-man-show. Now, it’s more collaborative. I come up with riffs and structures on my own, often without thinking about drums, and then Moritz adds his insane drumming afterward. Sometimes, his input transforms the whole vibe of a song. The result is tighter and more focused, but still full of surprises.
The band’s sound is of course anchored in Old School Death Metal, but how do you create your own touch?
Daniel: We don’t try to clone anyone else’s sound. Sure, there’s an old-school backbone, but we’re not afraid to experiment with pacing, atmosphere, or even groove. It’s that mix of the familiar and unexpected that gives us our own edge. Plus, writing as a duo forces us to get creative with our arrangements to make sure everything feels massive and dynamic, even in a live setting.
Do you have a favorite song on this album? Or maybe the hardest one to achieve for the album.
Daniel: Night Orbit stands out for me. It’s slower, darker, and came together in a more spontaneous way than the other tracks. I kept getting new ideas during the recording process, which isn’t usually how we work, but it made the song feel special. It’s also a bit of an outlier in terms of style, so I think it adds a unique flavor to the album.
I personally noticed a lot of Swedish influences on Infectious Vermin, do you confirm that? Which bands could you quote as your inspirations?
Daniel: You’re not wrong—there’s definitely some of that raw Swedish vibe in there. Bands like Entombed or Dismember are part of the DNA of what we do. But there’s also a lot of inspiration from newer acts like Frozen Soul, Goatwhore, and even some more experimental stuff like Conjurer. We pull from a lot of places, which keeps things interesting.
Where do you find your inspiration to create music? Is there a concept on Infectious Vermin?
Daniel: Musically, it’s all about aggression and atmosphere—finding that perfect balance of brutality and catchiness. Lyrically, we’re inspired by all things grimy and grotesque. The overarching concept of Infectious Vermin is a sort of pestilence-ridden apocalypse, with rats as both a metaphor and a literal force of chaos. I also draw from horror, especially Stephen King and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities.
Do you think you improved yourself as a musician and songwriter with this new record?
Daniel: Absolutely. Each album is a chance to push ourselves further, and Infectious Vermin is no exception. We’ve fine-tuned our sound and learned to embrace both simplicity and complexity in the right measures. I think the riffs are sharper, the drums are more dynamic, and the overall vibe is just more cohesive and powerful.
What can you tell me about the artwork? Were there any guidelines?
Daniel: Of course the artwork has to establish our identity, that’s why the general theme is rats. The art also had to match the album’s tone—dirty, menacing, and a bit surreal. We worked closely with the fantastic Roberto Toderico to capture that sense of creeping dread and infestation. It’s not just a cover; it’s a visual representation of what Infectious Vermin sounds like. If you look closely, you’ll find some hints to our old album artworks, which were also done by Toderico.
Infectious Vermin is also the first record on new label Testimony Records. How is the collaboration? How did you both get in touch?
Daniel: Working with Testimony has been awesome. They’ve been incredibly supportive and have helped us bring this album to a wider audience. We actually sent out raw mixes of the album while looking for a label, and Testimony immediately got what we were going for. They’ve been instrumental in handling promo and logistics, which lets us focus on the music.
I just saw the band played a few shows live. How did you hire the musicians on stage with you? In a general way, how do you get prepared to play on stage?
Daniel: We don’t hire anyone! It’s just the two of us, and that’s how we like it. Playing as a duo gives us this raw, stripped-down energy that matches our sound perfectly. We rehearse like maniacs to make sure everything sounds massive, even without extra members. I’m using a QuadCortex guitar setup to make sure the signal has all the beef it needs. Occasionally, we’ll have guest musicians for special shows, but it’s not the norm.
What will happen next for Rats of Gomorrah? Do you plan to go on tour soon?
Daniel: We’ve got big plans. There’s a European tour in April, with a focus on Spain and Portugal, which we’re really hyped for. After the album drops, we’ll keep playing live as much as possible and start thinking about the next record.
Are there any musicians or artists you would like to collaborate with? Whether it is for one song or maybe more.
Daniel: There are tons of great musicians we’d love to work with. Teaming up with alternative artists such as synth mastermind Irving Force or having vocals by Martin (Sulphur Aeon), Leah Massey-Hay (Pest Control) or Meister Cagliostro (Attic) would be great. We’re open to any collaboration that pushes our sound forward, and that includes all styles and instruments.
What do you know about the French Metal scene? Are there any bands you know and like?
Daniel: France has many killer bands. Gojira, Gorod and Benighted are obvious popular choices, but back in the CD days, we also used to listen to Pitbulls In The Nursery and Necrowretch together. I absolutely love Landmvrks and Igorrr as well. Man, I could name drop artists all day, you really have an awesome roster over there!