Whores’ debut EP Ruiner can be summarized with two words: “Fuckin’ riffs”. In fact, that would probably be my review if submitting it wouldn’t make me feel terribly lazy, as well as piss off my Teeth of the Divine overlords. Monstrous, grimy riffs. Riffs that eat bricks and shit lead. Riffs so big, so heavy, they’d make a young Page Hamilton flee in terror, leaving twin trails of piss and shit in his wake. Whores have taken the gnarliest bits of classic Helmet and condensed them in to 20 minutes of some of the most intense and memorable noise rock released in recent years.

Not to labor the point of the previous paragraph, Whores are all about dirty, gross riffs. From the moment the intro drops 15 seconds into “Fake Life” to the closing of “Straight Down” , which recalls Rebreather at their best, this trio from Atlanta bring the fucking heavy. “Tell Me Something Scientific” has a disgusting opening riff that will break necks and the transition toward the end will bring back fond memories of Helmet’s Meantime. The production is thick and heavy, with big booming drums and vocals rife with frustration and anger, shifting from cries to screams and shouts. Fans of Meantime/Betty-era Helmet and Drop Out-era 16 will eat this stuff up.

All of that is to say, Ruiner is excellent. This is the exact opposite of a grower. It’s an EP that looks you right in the eye and kicks you in the balls. No bullshit, no fucking around, just honest songs driven by heavy and memorable riffs, and straightforward lyrics.

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