"Abuse" by Wormrot
Release Information
Artist: Wormrot
Album: "Abuse" (Single Disc Edition)
Format: Full-Length
Release Date: June 8th, 2010
Label: Earache Records
Genre: Grindcore
Country: Singapore
Reviewers Note:
Although 23 tracks for most albums is alot of tracks, the fact that Wormrot sticks to extremely short songs lets the 23 track album clock in at just over 20 minutes. And with Wormrot about to release their 2nd album "Dirge", i thought it was worthy to check these guys out and review their first offering.
Track 1) "Lost Swines"
Wormrot opens up their debut with "Lost Swines", a track that doesn't sound so much grindcore as it does Hardcore. It open's with a sample, from a film i'm guessing as many bands do to get people pumped, of a man screaming at others or in pain and with a few hits of a symbol kick in a true hardcore intro if there ever was one. It's not until the last 9 seconds of the track do we get a taste of the grindcore drumming. But with the tracks opening quote, pure and truly heavy hardcore opening and scattered screams, and really only two real lines of vocals, this opener does a great job of letting you know exactly what your in for: a quick, raw & in your face record that and grindcore or underground metal fan will fall in love with and will want to mosh to in the pit.
Track 2) "Exterminate"
"Exterminate" kicks off right out the gate with pure grindcore that any fan of the genre is to expect, but for some reason, just seems to be a notch better than most grindcore being pumped out in that scene. Wormrot seems to make sure that their guitar work just isn't the typical grindcore style and puts more thought and meaning in their ryffs and it definitely makes them a standout in the genre.
Track 3) "Double-Feeding"
For a "song" that's not even 30 seconds long, as far as grindcore goes its decent. Nothing too special here but still better than most in this genre.
Track 4) "Born Stupid"
"Born Stupid" is i guess you can say, the single, off "Abuse" seeing that there is a video for this track. The song is your typical grindcore track until about :36 in where a pretty nice ryff is introduced with some nice drum work to go along with it. Also worth noted that this song is what got Earache interested in the band.
Artist: Wormrot
Album: "Abuse" (Single Disc Edition)
Format: Full-Length
Release Date: June 8th, 2010
Label: Earache Records
Genre: Grindcore
Country: Singapore
Reviewers Note:
Although 23 tracks for most albums is alot of tracks, the fact that Wormrot sticks to extremely short songs lets the 23 track album clock in at just over 20 minutes. And with Wormrot about to release their 2nd album "Dirge", i thought it was worthy to check these guys out and review their first offering.
Track 1) "Lost Swines"
Wormrot opens up their debut with "Lost Swines", a track that doesn't sound so much grindcore as it does Hardcore. It open's with a sample, from a film i'm guessing as many bands do to get people pumped, of a man screaming at others or in pain and with a few hits of a symbol kick in a true hardcore intro if there ever was one. It's not until the last 9 seconds of the track do we get a taste of the grindcore drumming. But with the tracks opening quote, pure and truly heavy hardcore opening and scattered screams, and really only two real lines of vocals, this opener does a great job of letting you know exactly what your in for: a quick, raw & in your face record that and grindcore or underground metal fan will fall in love with and will want to mosh to in the pit.
Track 2) "Exterminate"
"Exterminate" kicks off right out the gate with pure grindcore that any fan of the genre is to expect, but for some reason, just seems to be a notch better than most grindcore being pumped out in that scene. Wormrot seems to make sure that their guitar work just isn't the typical grindcore style and puts more thought and meaning in their ryffs and it definitely makes them a standout in the genre.
Track 3) "Double-Feeding"
For a "song" that's not even 30 seconds long, as far as grindcore goes its decent. Nothing too special here but still better than most in this genre.
Track 4) "Born Stupid"
"Born Stupid" is i guess you can say, the single, off "Abuse" seeing that there is a video for this track. The song is your typical grindcore track until about :36 in where a pretty nice ryff is introduced with some nice drum work to go along with it. Also worth noted that this song is what got Earache interested in the band.
Track 5) "Sledgehammer"
At :14 you really can't call this a song, more of a interlude maybe?
Track 6) "So Fierce For Fuck!?"
8 seconds long, main thing being showcased here is the snare drum speed if you ask me.
Track 7) "Dis-Appointing"
This track doesn't really find itself till :42 in, from there it has a pretty decent hardcore-ish ryff/pace to it that makes it way more enjoyable than the beginning, sadly though nothing too special here.
Track 8) "Good Times"
Now this something i would like to hear more of from these guys, starting off with a catchy ryff and kicks it in full sounding like a catchy and heavy hardcore track with some nice rythm and a more grounded vocal style, clocking in at just under a minute, "Good Times" is a good time and one of the more enjoyable tracks on this record.
Track 9) "Freedom To Act"
For some reason i feel inclined to say that "Freedom To Act" sounds like it could be a lost Carcass track, pretty good short song for under a mind and a half. Solid track.
Track 10) "Indonesia"
Again, nothing too special here, nothing new or original, but as far as grindcore goes not bad.
Track 11) "Shitlack"
Definitely a more than typical grindcore track here, but still yet to regain the energy & enjoyableness that was introduced with "Good Times".
Track 12) "Condemnation"
Nothing too much here but fast snares and fast guitars.
Track 13) "One Round Away"
Pretty standard grindcore here at the start but gets a pretty good pace goin at around the :18 mark and becomes slightly more enjoyable and ends again on a very grindcore note.
Track 14) "Fuck... I'm Drunk"
Fun name, not too fun a track, not until :29 that is, then Wormrot treats us to a very enjoyable and not so Wormrot-ish ryff.
Track 15) "Operation Grindcore"
Title says it all here. Pure grindcore.
Track 16) "Rich"
Now here is another track with some fun guitar work, nothing too fancy but very refreshing from what we've been hearing on this record.
Track 17) "Overgrown Asshole"
Short 30+ second track that the true grindcore & death metal fans will enjoy.
Track 18) "Blasphemy My Ass"
Very true to form grind here for the hardcore grindcore fans.
Track 19) "Fix Your Broken Mind"
Aside from some of the screaming, starts off very hardcore again and switches back and forth from the typical grindcore sound and hardcore.
Track 20) "Newkiller Nuclear"
Unfortunately, nothing special worth noting here.
Track 21) "Uncovered and Proud As Fuck"
And some more of the same.
Track 22) "Murder"
Another example here of something pretty standard here to the grindcore scene, but for some reason Wormrot seem to give it some new life and make it more enjoyable than the rest out there.
Track 23) "Scum Infestation and Last Song"
Wormrot close out their album with the longest track on the record and definitely screams Hardcore influence. Goes back and forth between some good Hardcore ryffs and some standard Grindcore ryffs and delivers a pretty solid album closer, easily one of the better tracks on the album.
Overall:
For a grindcore band (from any country), Wormrot delivers a pretty standard grindcore album with, happily, some out standout and original sounding tracks.
Rating:
6.5/10
Standout Tracks:
"Lost Swines", "Born Stupid", "Good Times", "Rich"
"Greatest The Hits 2011-2011" by Maximum The Hormone
Release Information:
Artist: Maximum The Hormone
Album: "Greatest The Hits 2011-2011"
Format: Single
Release Date: March 23rd, 2011
Label: VAP
Genre: Metal/Punk/Alt. Rock
Country: Japan
Reviewers Note:
Don't let the title trick with it's play on words. This release is in no way or shape a "Greatest Hits" release. The title is a play on word's by the band saying "Greatest Hits doesn't necessarily mean a collection of past titles. We can say these new songs are our best!"
Review:
Track 1) "Utsukushiki Hitobito No Uta" ("鬱くしき人々のうた")
In traditional MTH fashion, this opening track teases the listener with a promise of a great metal start off but quickly turns to a punk/ska paced track that just as quick as the first time changes into a full blown metal rage with vocalist Daisuke's signature growls (which we're hearing for the first time recorded since his throat surgery back in 09') and his vocals sound as great as ever. Fellow vocalist/guitar player Maximum The Ryo displays the usual guitar skills come to be known MTH's fans and quickly changes the guitar style from slightly distorted to heavily distorted at a moment notice. Sadly, there is no section in this track that showcase's the very talented bass playing of bassist Futoshi. And of course always a stand out is Nao, the bands female singer/drummer (who is returning from her pregnancy) delivering her section of clean vocals and very solid drum patterns throughout. Aside from the downside that they don't showcase the bass playing abilities here, this track is definitely a great welcome back to MTH fans since the bands last release back in 08'.
Track 2) "Maximum The Hormone"
Here we are with the band's self-named track and right out the gate this band self-titled track sounds to be one of their heaviest tracks. Daisuke's opening growl mixed with the opening arrangement of the ryff and drum section is without one of the heaviest sections of music the band has recorded. At around the 30 second mark the tone completely changes and sounds like something you would hear in the great days of 90's alt. rock and fortunately DOES turn into a showcase of the bass playing abilities of Futoshi. The drum playing here is top notch as well. Whenever the band does indeed release a true "Greatest Hits" album, i expect to see this track on the listing. This is the kind of track you wish to find on EVERY album nowadays. Great heavy, yet precise, guitar playing, a bass line that can carry a verse without depending on guitars, tight drumming and perfect fitting vocals. This is sure to be top song in the band's catalog.
Track 3) "My Girl"
What we have here with "My Girl" is something that sounds straight out of the late 90's era of bands like The Offspring, the main ryffs are so 90's alt. rock/punk as well as the singing, that is, until the 46 second mark where the band knocks the whole song on it's ass bringing the typical MTH style of bringing the heaviness out of nowhere and turning a nice soft rock song into absolute mosh-pit headbangers heaven. The whole band here shows just how fast their timing and styles can change in just one song is a perfect example of the band if you were going to introduce someone to them through this single.
Overall:
For only a 3 track single, this is a very solid release and a great way for the band to return after a 3 year hiatus. For any MTH fan this release is highly recommended and you will not disappointed.
Rating (Considering It's Only 3 Tracks Long):
9/10
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