Through the Gates of Worm’s Necropalace

Florida’s Worm has spent years crafting their signature sound of Necromantic Black Doom, pulling from nearly every corner of extreme metal history, from the grand symphonic black metal of the ’90s to the technical intensity of ’80s shred. Now, four years after Foreverglade, the band returns stronger than ever with Necropalace, their first release on Century Media Records, delivering a level of songwriting that feels timeless, like walking backward into the future.

The band is led by Phantom Slaughter on vocals and Wroth Septentrion on guitar, joined by Marty Friedman on guest guitar, and together they conjured a seven-track world of shadow, decadence, and haunting beauty. Recorded at Elektric City in Portland, Oregon with Charlie Koryn and polished to perfection by Arthur Rizk, Necropalace is a journey through gothic grandeur and nightmarish intensity, a landscape of velvet darkness and ostentatious gold where every note and vocal line feels both ancient and alive. This is Worm at the height of their power, a call to anyone who still feels the pull of the night, ready to step through gates that few dare to cross.

On first listen, this album feels like an intense injection of metal, to be honest the most metal I’ve ever listened to. It was a shock within my palette of carefully slotted metalcore and pop songs. This turned my world black and a sense of adventure powered over me as I did not turn off this LP. Intrigued by all the elements, I knew this wasn’t something you listen to once. It’s a story unfolded, laying itself out to be explored meticulously, just like the production must have been.

The opening track immediately opens the gates to a new world, inviting you in with fear on your neck but curiosity on your mind. Anticipation is an understatement because I was entranced by the intro. As a fresh listener I was lured into what Necropalace had in store. It’s haunting, it’s 80s, it’s 90s, its rigidity at its sharpest. The core themes run deep through Vampirism, Occultism, Darkness, and Death, and they are not subtle about it. “Welcome to the domain of dread known as Necropalace. This fortress has kept my memories and nightmares for centuries. Risen from ancient slumber, the curse is once again free to haunt starlit nights. While approaching the icy gates of Castle Ravenblood, a swirling mist begins to form. Phantom figures surround you. Enter if you dare but be warned, the darkness may consume your mortal soul forever. The ultimate evil has returned…” It reads like a proclamation, and it feels exactly like what the album delivers.

It’s encased by darkness but offering a sense of warmth in the fire of which vocals and instrumentals attack. The sound blends unruly shivers with mesmerizing sonic presences. Piano, organ, synth, throat grasping vocals that feel like they’re choking you, paired with subtle inclusions of spooky clean vocals that comfort you just when you think you couldn’t spiral into the halls of this palace any more. Guitar solos, there’s plenty, and if you were looking for noodles, look no further. Ripping through each track is that guitar that guides you through each corridor, offering a hand for those who are curious and those who crave the chance to hear more. Those in between moments with tracks are so visually stimulating. If only one could peer into the world I’ve envisioned for this album in my head. Each track transitions with such a soul grabbing turn it keeps the flow of the story very much alive. This LP pushed me beyond my comfort level, and I’m living for it, no, I’m dying for it. I’m never against exploring territory that is so brand new to me.

Immediate standouts include the drumming in Halls of Weeping, which is killer, absolutely rushing you in your mind to the next level that awaits. Oh man I felt like I needed to run, absolutely sprint. This song’s energy induction is insane. I absolutely loved the ghastly vocals in this song as well, they gave me at least a few moments of fresh air and recovery before diving into the next track. The emotions conveyed most strongly are curiosity and darkness, but not the kind of darkness that pushes you away. It’s darkness that seduces you to step inside. The moments that hit hardest are guitars for days. If you thought guitar solos couldn’t get any more delivered, you are mistaken. It’s a beautiful duet featuring vocals and guitar, with drums and other elements dancing around it like a sacred circle.

Overall production feels relentless, immersive, without missing a beat of being theatrical. The instrumentation leans toward a pace that I am so new to I can hardly keep up. Is it normal to be out of breath after listening through a seven track delivery? Because that’s the effect of this LP. I am blown away by the outcome. To give you an idea, the first track is literally ten minutes long. Nearing the end I assumed the adventure was half over, but wow was I so wrong. It was sincerely just beginning. The vocal delivery comes across as unforgivable until those soft moments come where it seems to pick you up off the ground before pushing you back down with its ferocity.

Compared to previous releases, this album feels bigger for the band, and it is. There’s noticeable growth in scope, atmosphere, and full commitment to the world building they are crafting. Familiar elements fans will recognize are the darkness, the theatrical edge, and the refusal to hold back. This is best listened to when you are open and ready for an intense listen, there are no chill parts at all. Lights low, mind open, ready to step through the gates and not look back.

This record is for fans of 80s to 90s death metal and shred metal, especially listeners who enjoy 90s Dimmu Borgir, early to mid 90s Katatonia, Ancient, Asgaroth, Cradle Of Filth, Gloomy Grim, Mystic Circle, and Limbonic Art.

Overall impression, spectacular, adrenaline inducing, really makes you tap into that metal within the shadows of your listening palette, at least for me. Fans who already love Worm are in for a damn good treat, and those who are a fan of this style of music will be just as delighted. This album succeeds in creativity and bringing forth what was believed to be the peak in metal. Succeeding in bringing the past back to life can often be a misfire, but this feels anything but that.