originally written by Erik Thomas
Released last year on Scrotum Jus Records, the debut full-length from Singaporean trio Wormrot finally get more exposure worldwide thanks to Earache, who also gave Insect Warfare’s World Extermination the same treatment, and this album is right in line with that release: a fucking killer grindcore record.
23 tracks, 21 minutes of no frills, no scene bullshit, no trends, no Dying Fetust shirts or kidde nu-grind spastics. This is full-on classic grindcore that culls from the likes of early Naplam Death and Terrorizer with a punk-fueled backbone, social/political lyrics layered with death metal production and tenacity, just like early grindcore was. The power chords and occasional grooves are burly but catchy, and the dual vocal are perfectly implemented and balanced, neither too grating nor too deep. Of course, most of the tracks blow by, somewhere between 8 seconds and an epic 1:34, but they cram enough killer, punchy riffs and feral blasts into the likes of “Lost Swines,” “Exterminate,” “Indonesia,” “Shitlack,” “Overgrown Asshole,” and most of the short ditties, as well as the groovier moments of “Born Stupid,” “Dis-Appointing,” and “Good Times” to make the album seem longer. There’s even a dash of melody in “Fuck…I’m Drunk” and the grinding cover of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Rich” to spice things up a bit.
2009 was a great year for grindcore, but with top notch releases by the likes of Sayyadina, Infanticide, Defeatist, Unholy Grave, Psycho and this cream-of-the-crop release, 2010 looks to be a truly special year for grind.
I just wonder when Earache will discover their own great grindcore bands again.
