By Jillian Locke

THIS is The Acacia Strain fans have been awaiting. There comes a time in every band’s life where they reach a crossroads and are forced to face their creative demons. They have two options: continue down the same path, marinate in their comfort zone, and slowly but surely fizzle away. Or, they can look to the rugged path less traveled, the path that forces them to tear away the protective, routine layers and extract something fresh. Prepare your ears for the new sounds of Wormwood.

The latest catastrophic creation from Worcester’s kings of brute-core aptly opens with a sample from House of 1000 Corpses, courtesy of Massachusetts rock icon Rob Zombie. Baby’s voice pierces the shrill background as “The Beast,” featuring MA hardcore pioneer Jamey Jasta, drops with a crushing force that sets the pace for the rest of the album.

The entire soundscape of Wormwood is one of violence, desperation, loathing, and a desire for complete destruction of everything we know, especially as it pertains to TAC. Vocalist Vincent Bennett still infuses his general disdain for humanity, but he’s upped the ante. In the track “Impaler,” he growls the armageddonistic lines: “We destroy the things that make the world go round. We are the reason there is blood on the ground.” The grinding guitar assaults add another level of anger and fight to the mix, with screeching licks and devastating breakdowns, creating the symphonic prelude to the impending doomsday of which The Acacia Strain will surely be at the forefront.

With a total of 12 bone-crushing, face-smashing tracks, featuring guest vocals by 100 Demons’ Bruce LePage and Born Low’s Kyle Chard, Wormwood has defined the term “brutal” in ways previously unforeseen. Wormwood is a rugged, brutally bombastic presentation of The Acacia Strain at their finest, as we’ve never seen them before. Have a change of shorts nearby ~ you’re going to need them.

Catch The Acacia Strain headlining Transmission Fest at

The Palladium on 8/7!

www.myspace.com/theacaciastrain