To call Wormrot’s killer debut, Abuse, a splash of cold water to the face in the midst of a growingly samey genre wouldn’t be giving it enough credit: it’s like being woken from a nap by a beating from a claw hammer. It pleased newbies and purists alike: filthy, Repulsion-style grind with a rawness and energy that could only be provided by guys who genuinely loved the stuff. The fact that Earache scooped them up off an mp3 blog and introduced the rest of the world to them is the sort of Cinderella story that overshadows how plain-and-simple great they are. In theory, the fact that they so ably school Western world grindsters while calling Singapore home illustrates how the internet has made the globe a much smaller place, that distance is only physical for the most part now, and that technology has brought us and our love of metal together. In fact, shut up, Abuse is just a really, really, really, really very good grindcore album, and everything else is just background noise.

Guitarist Rasyid is a pretty big part of the band’s overall effectiveness. His barbed, punk-infused grind riffs cut right to the center of any grindcore-sympathetic metalhead: they have substance as well as speed. He maintains the necessary skill behind what sounds like a dervish of barely reined-in chaos. In an email interview with MetalSucks, Rasyid discusses Wormrot’s beginnings and rise to prominence, their decision to cover a Yeah Yeah Yeahs song, and how Singapore is a “country of poseurs.”

How do you feel about the success and worldwide acclaim for Abuse? Did you see this kind of success coming your guys’ way from the get-go?

It was shocking. Never thought it’d be this big of a deal. Three guys from Singapore making a racket, who’d ever thought anyone would listen? Fortunately for us, there were some.

What do you think your signing with Earache says about the power of the internet and its relation to the music industry?

It says, “Great. But don’t fuck it up.” Netizens… what would Wormrot have done without them? They’re one of the major reason why Earache even bothered to listen. Shoutout to Grind and Punishment, Sunyata, and Invisible Oranges.

How did Wormrot come to be?

Wormrot was a deathgrind band which sucked and resorted to playing music we like, and felt comfortable with grindcore. No turning back ever since.

Does being from Singapore influence Wormrot’s sound and/or identity? Have you ever felt at a disadvantage being from a country not as immediately associated with grindcore?

Well, first off, there’s no “Singapore or Asian sound” or whatever people might wanna coin it as. Being far away from Europe and the US means we’re not too deep in the scene to not let our mind open up to other musical taste. Singapore borrows many cultures and each individual come up with a concoction of their own, may it be musical taste, dressing sense, whatever. We’re a country of poseurs.

What was making Abuse like?

It was quick, pressurizing (by ourselves), and not trying to sound cocky, effortless. We like working under pressure and given as little time we have. We work better under pressure. You stop thinking, and just do what your body wants to.

What lead you guys to the decision to go bass-less? Would you ever consider bringing a bass player back into the fold?

Because its faster to write songs, dirtier and unpolished sound without much post recording magic, and one extra seat in the van to stretch your legs out. And, no.

Who influences the band musically?

Grindcore bands like Phobia, Insect Warfare, Magrudergrind, Jig-ai… many. Out of grindcore, whatever you listen to the radio, we listen to them (see answer regarding Singaporean poseurs above).

Lyrically, where does Wormrot come from?

Hmm. Not sure. Not the right person to ask. I never cared about the lyrics. I just want the vocalist to scream in people’s faces and hopefully tear their skin off.

What’s the sample at the beginning of “Lost Swines?” What does it have to do with the song itself?

Oh, it’s kinda coincidental. We were discussing that “we need a sample to start the album before ‘Lost Swines’ because I think it might sound great.” So we went to YouTube, typed in “abuse,” and after like three or four tries we found this video. Doesn’t matter what it’s about. Just listen to the energy, commitment, and absolute “fuck off” in his voice. Settled in less than ten minutes.

What lead you to cover the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ “Rich?”

Blame my girlfriend Francesca for introducing me that band. YYY is an awesome band. Karen O is like a ball of flaming kinetic energy. I missed their show in Singapore though because I didn’t have enough cash. We covered Rich because it’s… workable, to twist and turn it around to our version. Lyrics are awesome, too!

What do you think Wormrot brings uniquely to grindcore? Where do you see your guys’ place in it?

Man, you’ve gotta ask the listeners. I have no idea. We’re just grindcore fans making grindcore music.

I know you guys have plans to play in the US with Phobia. Do you have any other future plans for touring the US?

Not yet I suppose. One at time. Let’s not be greedy here!

Your tour schedule seems to be taking you all over the world. How has that experience been?

Meeting new people, learning about them and a little of their culture. At the end of the day, we’re on a tour, not a fucking holiday tour. There’s no time to walk around like a tourist and spend the whole day eating ice-creams and taking pictures. Most of the pictures I took with my camera are all from the tour van! And my girlfriend happen to buy a digital camera with a slow shutter speed! D’OH!

What’s coming up for you guys?

We’ve recently released a split with I Abhor from the US under their label. Next up is a split with insane grindfuckers Matka Teresa from Netherlands. And then the fucking second album.

-SO

Wormrot on MySpace