Dirge (album)

Musical style

On Dirge, Wormrot downplays their death metal influences in favor of a punk rock- and crust punk-indebted sound while staying firm in their metallic roots. According to Allmusic, the album features 25 songs, "every one a relentless assault of grinding guitar (doubled in the studio to give extra heft), anarchic yet complex drumming, and hoarse, agitated vocals." The shortest track on the record, ""You Suffer But Why Is It My Problem," is a four-second nod to English grindcore pioneers Napalm Death. The track "Deceased Occupation" is driven by a sludgy riff reminiscent of Eyehategod's style while the track "Principle of Puppet Warfare" was described as "a pure punk rock slam-fuel."

In an interview with Exclaim!, guitarist Rasyid stated:

Dirge is much more punk and noise, in terms of production, sound of the band and composition. It's faster than Abuse, and I'm not talking about BPMs; it's unfriendly, less accessible. There's less death metal riffage and more punk chords.

Critical reception

The album received generally positive reviews from critics. Allmusic critic Phil Freeman wrote that "even as Wormrot's songs blur into a single massive assault, they have a punk rock catchiness that some of the more metallic grindcore acts don't share," concluding: "It's possible to have a favorite Wormrot song, something that can't be said about the legions of lesser grindcore bands out there." Revolver's Chris Krovatin stated: "Vocalist Arif and drummer-singer Fit utilize a twin growl/shriek attack that maintains a sense of violent panic, but it’s guitarist Rasyid’s toxic riffs and overdriven leads that give Wormrot their impressively dark atmosphere, a nihilistic malaise that hangs somewhere south of Pig Destroyer and north of Exhumed." Krovatin also further wrote: "The album is not a crossover darling—the band does little to evolve its sound, and if you don’t particularly like grindcore, you’ll hate this—but within their grimy musical crawlspace, these guys are kicking ass." Greg Pratt of Exclaim! commented: "It's a sound they nail to perfection on this excellent album, which has as its only downfall the monotony that, if history has taught us anything, we know that all classic grind carries with it."

Track listing

All songs written by Wormrot.

Personnel

Album credits as adapted from Allmusic: