Rat Race are a hard rock and heavy metal band from Strakonice in the Czech Republic, formed in February 1993 after the breakup of the local band Judgement Day. Judgement Day is formed in 1991 by Tom Váchal on bass and Jan Samec on guitar, later joined by drummer Erik Sichinger, and has an average age of 14.5 years before it splits in early 1993.

Formation and line-up

Rat Race forms when Tom Váchal and Jan Samec start a new group and bring in former members of Číšníci, another local band that exists from the end of 1988. The full Rat Race line-up consists of Petr Špička on drums, Jan Samec on guitar and vocals, Míra Švec on guitar, and Tom Váchal on bass and vocals.

Recordings and performances

After several local concerts, the band records the demo Postav se proti at Avik Studio in Plzeň and releases 100 copies at its own expense. It then tours in winter with Clean Slate and Kritická Situace on a Czech-Slovak run, supports Integrity at their first concert in Prague, and later tours again with Clean Slate and Kritická Situace in Hungary, followed by a Czech tour with Davová Psychóza.

Split and later activity

Rat Race disbands for good in early 1995. Its members later appear in bands including Delusion, Underfire, and Lumen.