Review
Homewrecker
Worms & Dirt

Ohio's Homewrecker have only been a band for a relatively short time, but in that time they have bridged the gap between clevo-style hardcore, powerviolence, and straight-up grind. Within their brief recorded history the band has managed to do this pretty well. Their A389 debut proves to be a different challenge as, now, many more are familiar with their general sound.

Worms and Dirt begins with distorted guitar noise leading to a dirty-sounding riff and vocal sample. This gives the listener the last chance to relax for the next 22 minutes. The distortion builds into a stomping drum pattern until, finally, the vocalist belts out a harrowing, throaty scream. The song offers a good idea of what you as a listener are in for. The band sound dirty and scummy overall. The throaty screams lead the band through the next few tracks allowing for momentary bits of lead guitars and dive bombs.

Even at their slowest, the band carries an immense sense of power as the screams are sometimes bolstered by reverb. This allows the rage to feel more palpable as though the singer is screaming up at the listener from the bottom of a dark well. Homewrecker’s sound never falters moving forward with little thought of slowing, save for the moody instrumental "Visions Of Terror," which allows a little respite while it still gives off an unsettling feeling.

The recording is sufficiently dirty to allow the band to sound as nasty as they can while still being able to make out all the parts. This shares a certain similarity with the last few Integrity recordings as it carries enough clarity within a rather dirty recording quality. This record feels angry, scary, and dirty all at once—and for a band that combines hardcore and metal among other genres what more could a listener ask for?