Rabies Caste is a three-piece sludge metal band from Israel that has been active since the late 1990s. The band was formed in 1994 initially as a noise rock/noisecore group under the name To Kill Mother, before changing their name to Cradlenoise, which they used from 1994 to 1995. From 1995 until 2003, they operated as Rabies Caste.
Rabies Caste: A Chronological Overview
Late 1994 marked the formation of the noisecore duo To Kill Mother, comprised of Dale Rabid on drums and vocals, and Dave K on guitar. Both members were Russian immigrants residing in Tel-Aviv, Israel. During this period, they recorded a demo tape featuring three tracks at the 5 on 3 feet rehearsal space; however, due to numerous noise complaints, their performances were subsequently banned.
In the fall of 1995, Russell Bear joined the duo on bass, leading to the transition into Rabies Caste, with Dave K on guitar and vocals, Russell Bear on bass, and Dale Rabid on drums and vocals. Their first original song, "I Love My Pig," was inspired by the Melvins. Their scheduled debut gig on November 11 was canceled due to the assassination of the Prime Minister.
By June 1996, the band recorded a ten-track demo titled "Self Portrait Of The Madness," which was recorded live in just two hours on July 4. Many copies were distributed and sold at subsequent shows, showcasing the band's heavy hardcore and grunge influences over 45 minutes.
In September 1996, they entered the studio to record a new song titled "Mouthwash," intended to accompany a music video. However, the project was never completed as the videographer disappeared before editing could commence. Despite this setback, the band shifted focus to new material, which took on a more metallic and slower sound.
Summer 1997 saw the recording of the six-song EP "Children Can Fall Into Bucket And Drown," produced in the sweltering heat of their basement. During this period, Dale Rabid stepped back from vocals to concentrate on drumming. With tracks like "Neon," "Goddamn," and the ten-minute "Inch," the EP was poised for release but ultimately remained unreleased, though cassettes were sold at shows.
In early 1998, Rabies Caste began writing songs for their first full-length album, which they planned to self-release. By June, they had chosen six songs for recording, welcoming Pigface Kazzz on second guitar. Kazzz, a former member of the hardcore band Ausweis, contributed to five tracks on their new album, titled "For The Vomiting Tractor Drivers." Following a series of recording challenges, the album was finally mastered and pressed in late August 1998, with 260 copies self-released and distributed to magazines and labels. Pigface Kazzz departed the band in the fall of 1998 due to his inability to commit.
Winter 1999 brought a partnership with Infernal Racket Records for the worldwide release of "For The Vomiting Tractor Drivers," initially slated for summer but delayed due to pressing issues. The album was eventually released in September 1999. The band sought to tour, securing a support slot for Liverpool's dBh in early 2000. During this time, Dale Rabid was involved in an unrelated project that was interrupted by a bizarre accident affecting the lead singer's vision.
Between 1999 and 2000, Rabies Caste completed a ten-date UK tour with dBh in April 2000, followed by another UK tour with Freebase in November. They also began writing new material, booking studio time in London with producer Harvey Birrell for November 2000.
In November 2000, the band spent five days in a Southern London studio, resulting in six tracks for their advanced record "Let The Soul Out And Cut The Vein." This album found a home with Earache Records in early 2001.
In May 2001, Rabies Caste signed a record deal with Earache Records and returned to the UK to finalize ten tracks for "Let The Soul Out And Cut The Vein," touring alongside sludge band Charger. The record was completed and remixed with Harvey Birrell once again.
Scheduled for European release on August 28, 2001, and in the USA on October 2, the album included a controversial gore/snuff video for the track "Got It From Blake," which faced bans across various platforms. The album received ratings of 8/10 from Terrorizer, 7/10 from Metal Hammer, 4/5 from Kerrang, and 4.5/5 from Rock Sound.
From fall 2001 to summer 2002, Rabies Caste toured the UK and Europe in support of their album, sharing the stage with acts like Dillinger Escape Plan, Biohazard, Nasum, Candiria, and Earthtone9. In November 2001, they headlined their first Israeli show in two years, while also facing cancellations at the New Jersey and Milwaukee Metalfests due to technical difficulties. Midway through summer 2002, Russell Bear temporarily left the band, with Ram_R from NYC grindcore duo bARBARA filling in until Bear returned for the November dates.
November 2002 marked the band's first headline tour across the UK, Scotland, and Wales. By February 2003, they played two live dates in the Middle East, including a successful performance in Jerusalem, the first in several years. Despite Metal Hammer's intention to publish a live review of the shows, it ultimately went unprinted.
After 1.5 years of inactivity, October 2004 heralded the announcement of upcoming releases: a split 7" with Sourvein and a new Rabies Caste record, both expected in early 2005. The band also gained recognition in the literature of heavy metal history, being featured in Ian Christe's "Sound Of The Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal" and Chris Ingham's "The Book Of Metal," appearing on pages 272 and 69, respectively. Dale Rabid remarked on their legacy, questioning if his potential future demise would ensure remembrance.
