Wormrot

Rolling Stones Magazine described Wormrot's latest release ''HISS'' (2022) as one of the best metal releases of the year. To understand this Singaporean band's most unlikely journey to arrive on a list comprising the likes of Megadeth and Ozzy Osbourne, one must look back to the start where an equally unlikely signing started it all. Earache Records signed their very first Asian act in Wormrot within 2 weeks of Digby Pearson's chance encounter of an online mixtape back in 2009. Fresh faced and straight out of national service, the trio consisting of Rasyid (Guitar), Arif (Vocals), and Fitri (Drums), found themselves with a global record deal.

Wormrot's debut album ''Abuse'' (2009) had prompted an official re-issue from Earache in 2010, which then spurred debut tours in Europe and North America, making Wormrot one of Singapore's pioneering international touring band. Further touring in support of ''Dirge'' (2011) created a viral mascot of heavy music in the form of Biquette, The Grindcore Goat.

The much acclaimed ''Voices'' (2016) became a conduit of recognition. Through the whirlwind of a lineup change and increased global attention, Metal Injection gave it a perfect score in their review, calling it the best Grindcore release of the year. VICE described Wormrot as 'one of the most promising new Grindcore bands of the new millennium.' The 2017 edition of Glastonbury Festival saw Wormrot become the first South East Asian, and in turn first Singaporean act to perform at the festival.

''Hiss'' (2022) marked a significant foray out of boundaries that caught even more attention beyond the confines of Grindcore. Featuring violin sections and a song beyond the 4min mark for the first time, Rolling Stones Magazine called 'every track an adventure, a frenzied plunge into the unknown', also stating that 'squeezing 21 tracks into 33 minutes is hardly a feat by grind standards, but it’s the quality and quantity of ideas within these tracks that astounds'. A dream come true tour in support of their idols Napalm Death' Campaign For Musical Destruction Tour 2024, as well as a debut appearance at the iconic Hellfest in France, capped off a hugely significant cycle.

Now back to the original lineup that started it all, Wormrot is geared to claim a place atop Grind’s pinnacle. Perhaps Kerrang Magazine put it best, that 'Wormrot can grind faces with the best of them, but they also bring in a host of other elements and their own unique flavour'.