Band: WVRM
Album: Colony Collapse
Label: Prosthetic Records
Genre: Grindcore
If I had thought that Cattle Decapitation were the trumpet bearers of the end-times, that's because I had yet to hear the crushing doomsayers that are WVRM. The Greenville, SC harbingers of sonic destruction just released their latest offering, Colony Collapse, on April the 3rd through Prosthetic Records.
It's a fairly quick listen, as most grindcore records are, yet warrants many repeat visits. The guitar tone feels like you're being forced through a grind stone, and there are heavy influences of sludge throughout. The intense bashing at times reminds me of a mixture of the feedback laden EYEHATEGOD and the tribalistic nature of Soilent Green. Also, that album art? I've been a fan of Wes Brooks' (Undead Speed Equipment) style for some time now, nice to see it gracing the cover of this record.
The main highlight of Colony Collapse has to be Ian Nix's handling of the mic. Nix's frantic, feverish piercing screams and howls weave tales of the trials and tribulations of progression against those who would rather have shit go back to the way they were. Take the lyrics from "My Fucking Dixie (The New South)" for example:
Tear down every statue
New south gonna rise
Class conscious
With the demon in their eyes
Gonna take you down
Breath life
Another fucking fight tonight
My fucking Dixie
Sliding like a diamond back down...
While Colony Collapse is not seeking to redefine the genre, it's still an instant buy for those who are grind fans. There's so many good things going on it's difficult to pinpoint each of them, but I will say, the power violence-sludge filled-wont back down attitude of this album shreds, and you'll be sure to have a good damn time.
I'm giving Colony Collapse a 9/10