There are plenty of straight-ahead blasts across the 21 tracks on offer here, but even then Wormrot sound distinctive. The sound on Hiss is crisp and clear, sparkling with energy and letting the individual instruments stand out. Vocalist Arif Suhaimi is also on scintillating form, veering from maniacal howl to low growls and even the odd melodious clean on what turned out to be his Wormrot swansong. The singer announced his departure for reasons of mental health and well-being in between the completion and release of the album. It does leave the band’s future far less secure than it ought to be following such an impressive return, but the remaining two members have announced they will continue and this album gives them a great foundation to build from.
Rating: 4/5
For fans of: Cephalic Carnage, Pig Destroyer, Narcosis
Hiss is released on July 8 via Earache