ALBUM REVIEW – WROT

Displaying the same high-impact precision as the tool they’re named after, Tap Hammer waste no time in roaring into life through the opening moments of their debut album, WROT.

The title is an anagram of the name of the north Katoomba avenue where the band tracked these twelve songs in a house-turned-studio with Ian Pritchett (Cog, Anteaters) and Ty Fuzzman (Madam Fatale, Paperhill).

WROT’s energy and attitude feels authentic – the sound of a band shaped by the heavier side of the upper Blue Mountains’ music culture.Tap Hammer’s notable attack is transferred onto record via Reyhn Marvin’s scuzzy, relentless guitar work and snarling vocals, Sam Toppo’s seismic bass weight, and Holly Garcia’s full tilt drum annihilation.

A few years ago, all three members developed their ferocious approach in a hardcore punk band that I played in too, called LITTER, while Marvin and I were also in an earlier power trio, TRASH BABY. A welcome cameo arrives on track nine, Crushed Blue, where former TRASH BABY frontwoman-guitarist Taylah Harrington appears on sax as HVRROW.

Half the album steams ahead at a punchy mid-pace punk tempo, as heard on Gory Hole and Stinging Steve’s Sting. Elsewhere, the band branches out further: Centipede twists through progressive hard rock dynamics – with Toppo making his recorded lead vocal debut – while closer Hustler lands with a tough, anthemic punch. The second single Longer Now was also released with an impressive music video.

If WROT’s mission statement was to have listeners wake up, jump up, and absorb the conviction of their collective catharsis and playing chops, they succeeded.

• ORIGINALLY WRITTEN FOR THE ‘LET’S CONNECT’ NEWSLETTER, JANUARY 2026