Heavy, Brutal, But Buried Beneath Its Own Samples

Scorcher, the latest EP from deathcore act Whole World Wept, packs a heavy, punishing punch with big riffs, brutal vocals, and intense drumming that taps into the classic deathcore blueprint. Across six tracks, the band shows solid musicianship and decent production values, but ultimately struggles to carve out a unique identity under the weight of overused samples and familiar tropes.

The EP kicks off with “Here Comes the B-Team,” a slow-building track that erupts into a hefty deathcore assault. The riffs carry a rusty, jagged edge that fits the style well, while the vocals range from guttural growls to piercing pig squeals that add a little variety to the mix. The drums are aggressive and driving, keeping pace with the thick, heavy guitars. While the production is clean and punchy, the song itself doesn’t break new ground, feeling like a solid but familiar entry in the genre.

“Cold Reset” speeds things up with tighter, chuggy riffs and a snare drum that snaps sharply through the mix. The drummer’s chops show more flair here, with diverse fills and relentless blast beats layered with triggered kicks for that modern, polished deathcore feel. The bass rumbles deep beneath the guitars, adding extra weight. Despite the technical proficiency, the song lacks a hook or memorable moment to really captivate the listener.

A shift in tone comes with “Finally Sober & Ready to Crashout,” which opens less abrasively and introduces several sample clips woven into the heaviness. While these samples add atmosphere, they often get buried beneath the dense instrumentation, sometimes feeling derivative—especially since one sample has been notably used by bands like Sunami before. The riffs lurking beneath are menacing but don’t fully capitalize on the moment, leaving the track feeling interesting but slightly overshadowed by its own influences.

“Grave Pusher” stands out as the most distinctive song on the EP, employing stop-and-go riffing and rhythmic variation that offer a break from the relentless onslaught. The band dips into death metal territory with fast, heavy playing, and the guest vocals provide some contrast—though they sit too low in the mix to leave a strong impression. Despite these moments of variety, the overuse of samples continues to weigh down the EP’s overall impact.

With “Blue Ruin,” the band channels a throwback vibe reminiscent of early Suicide Silence, especially with its punchy snare hits and fast pace. This track brings more groove and energy, inviting headbanging in a way some earlier songs do not. Still, the reliance on familiar sample clips and a somewhat bland breakdown pulls it back from feeling fully fresh or original.

Closing the EP is “The Aramingo Stomp,” which kicks off with guitars cutting abruptly into a sample—so abruptly that it barely gets to breathe before the song takes over. The drumming here is relentless and powerful, with riffs that scale dynamically to maintain intensity. The recurring use of the “Scorcher” sample seems aimed at ironic effect, but its repeated presence ultimately diminishes its impact. The band’s penchant for layering so many samples throughout the EP becomes their own worst enemy, distracting from the heavy riffs and performances instead of enhancing them.

Overall, Scorcher delivers a brutal and proficient deathcore experience with tight musicianship and solid production, but it’s often held back by an overreliance on sample clips that dilute the power of the band’s own music. Whole World Wept have the raw ingredients to make a strong statement, but they’d benefit from scaling back the samples and focusing more on creating memorable riffs and hooks that stand on their own.