Release Date: February 13, 2026
Label: Century Media
Country: USA
Genre: Black/Death/Doom Metal
Moving away from the murky depths of the swamp, Worm have relocated to an ancient vampiric castle overflowing with fog. This evolution reveals a different facet of the band, albeit keeping the atmosphere that Worm has become known for. Straying somewhat further from death and doom and growing deeper roots into the realm of black metal, both visually and sonically, Necropalace feels like a natural continuation to Starpath’s “Ravenblood,” with Wroth Septentrion’s soaring guitars and Phantom Slaughter’s gloomy growls, imbued this time with a dark yearning for blood.
The intro track, “Gates to the Shadowzone,” offers a taste of the electrifying guitar solos to come, and the epic and deep, almost war-like drumming adds to a sense of foreboding, setting the tone for the rest of the record. “Necropalace” creates a dense and layered atmosphere heavy with blackened doom, where Phantom Slaughter’s growls resound against the castle walls. The band released a music video for this track, which perfectly complements the song’s dark and vampiric aura, and has a very 90’s feel and look to it.
“Halls of Weeping” is more reminiscent of Worm’s previous sound, slower and doomier than “Necropalace” but just as intensely atmospheric in Worm’s unique style. Past the midway point, things pick up speed, with my favorite part of the track starting around the 6-minute mark, where the addictive guitar melodies ooze with decadence and longing. The fourth track, “The Night Has Fangs,” a further nod to the vampiric theme of this album, is teeming with dark riffs and solos accompanying Phantom Slaughter’s sinister snarls and harpsichord-like keyboards. “Dragon Dreams” feels more epic in scope and sound, while also giving off an atmosphere that is dangerously seductive and melancholic. The band also released a music video for the penultimate track, “Blackheart,” in the same theatrical and nostalgic style as the one for “Necropalace.” This is the definitive song that best characterizes Worm’s new style in my eyes, and is utterly irresistible. From beginning to end, through all the changes in tempo and tone, each part of this song is incredible and unforgettable, again overflowing with an intense aura of gloomy and vampiric yearning and solitude. The conclusion to this pitch-black record, “Witchmoon: The Infernal Masquerade,” features guitarist Marty Friedman, resulting in a grandiose display of pure, electrifying talent between him and Wroth Septentrion as they pummel us with oscillating guitar solos. Although this track is almost 15 minutes long, it is over in the flutter of a bat wing.
Although quite different from their previous releases in feel but not in essence, Worm have achieved a different kind of greatness with Necropalace, one that is drowning in atmosphere and luscious darkness, this time in the lair of an ancient vampire. Every song on this album is uniquely and undeniably Worm. As they continue their climb through the murky depths of blackened doom and death, with their recent move from 20 Buck Spin to Century Media Records, Worm gives us not only a quality release but also much to look forward to.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wormgloom/
Bandcamp: https://wormgloom.bandcamp.com
Order vinyl or CD here: https://centurymedia.store/collections/worm
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