A couple of years ago, Tomb Mold guitarist Derrick Vella’s ambitiously progged-out side project Dream Unending released Starpath, a split LP with the gothy, over-the-top Miami black metal band Worm. Before that record, I must confess that I was unfamiliar with Worm’s game. But I liked what I saw in them — dramatic keyboards, splintered shredding, band members who call themselves Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion. Now, Worm have signed to big metal label Century Media, and they’ll release a new album called Necropalace early next year. It looks like it’ll be a good time.
Worm have been putting out music since 2014, but it looks like Necropalace will be their biggest swing yet. They recorded it with Ascended Dead drummer and VoidCeremony producer Charlie Koryn, and heavy music mastermind Arthur Rizk mixed and mastered it. Former Megadeth shredder Marty Friedman appears on the final track, which is called “Witchmoon: The Infernal Masquerade.” That’s a good title. Nothing that I could say about the record would be more articulate than the press-release quote from vocalist Phantom Slaughter:
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…
Hell yeah. The album’s title track lasts for an absurd 12 minutes, and it goes through lots of fun, spooky movements. The song has Worm’s first-ever music video, and they really went in on this one. I’ll be honest: I do not have the time or attention span to really absorb a 12-minute video. But every time I clicked over to the tab where it was playing, I saw something cool: Corpsepaint, fake blood, swords, vampire fangs, dry ice. The director is Norman Cabrera, a veteran Hollywood special effects and makeup guy. Below, check out the “Necropalace” video and the album’s tracklist.
TRACKLIST:
01 “Gates To The Shadowzone (Intro)”
02 “Necropalace”
03 “Halls Of Weeping”
04 “The Night Has Fangs”
05 “Dragon Dreams”
06 “Blackheart”
07 “Witchmoon: The Infernal Masquerade” (Feat. Marty Friedman)
Necropalace is out 2/13 on Century Media. Just in time for Valentine’s Day!
