Album Review: Ringworm – Seeing Through Fire (Nuclear Blast Records)

Metal/hardcore legends Ringworm will release their brand-new album, and first with Nuclear Blast, ‘Seeing Through Fire’ on August 18th, 2023.

With as much fire in their bellies as they had when they first entered the scene, Ringworm are back with an absolute ball-buster of an album. One that combines the best of their frenzied metal assault with their hardcore intensity. Kicking off proceedings with a manic and monumental showcase of searing speed and stompy aggression with the title track. It’s a start that gets the blood well and truly pumping in the veins.

Having already hit such a chaotic high, it’s extremely heartening to find that Ringworm aren’t letting up as they rip and tear their way through tracks like Carved in Stone, and No Solace, No Quarter, No Mercy. The blistering instrumentation and furious vocal delivery is the stuff hardcore heavy dreams are made of.

Continuously coarse and consistently concentrated, Ringworm have absolutely no chill and we love them for that. It’s what continues to appeal as they smash and crash their way through the mind with the raging Death Hoax, the snarling viciousness of Thought Crimes, and the groovier energy and old-school tinged Unavoidable Truth. You best brush up on your two-step skills if you’re going to be listening to tracks like these.

There’s no major shake-up to the formula as the record enters its second half, but why would anyone want one? Ringworm are on such form that each new slice of carnage is unadulterated joy. You feel extremely dirty for enjoying it so much, but who f**king cares! It’s an album that demands you lose yourself to it, and it’s a very easy demand to adhere too.

Especially when the fire and fury continues with such intent on House of Flies, You Want it To, Mental Decontrol, and Power and Blood.

Have you got one more in you? Of course you do, and Ringworm aren’t taking no for an answer. Wrapping up the album in a garish and savage way as Playing God stomps and slashes until there’s nothing but a bloody mess left over. It’s nasty as hell, but so is everything else on the album. That should make this a very appealing prospect and it’s an investment that certainly pays off. Provided you can take being hit over the head constantly for around 30-minutes straight.

Ringworm – Seeing Through Fire Track Listing:

1. Seeing Through Fire
2. Carved in Stone
3. No Solace, No Quarter, No Mercy
4. Death Hoax
5. Thought Crimes
6. Unavoidable Truth
7. House of Flies
8. You Want it To
9. Mental Decontrol
10. Power and Blood
11. Playing God

Links

Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram | Nuclear Blast