Worm: Foreverglade

I accidentally misread the title of this album as Foreverglad and wondered if Worm had lost their minds and decided to do something sparkly, happy, poppy. Fortunately, that isn’t the case. This album is actually darker and gloomier than the band’s earlier work. It’s also a step up from anything they’ve done before. From start to finish, this album sounds better, is more focused, and represents a significant step forward.

Things begin with the superb title track and introduction to the rest of the album. As openings go, this one is perfect. It opens slowly and establishes an effective sense of mystery and gloom. When the vocals come in, they do so only as a subtle growl before giving way to their normal harshness. After a few minutes of establishing the general sound and mood, Worm breaks into surprising groove that shakes things up just enough to remind us how much this band is playing with various styles. It all works. In fact, this opening is so strong that I would be content to have it play on repeat for a long time.

The next track, “Murk Above the Dark Moor,� opens with a slightly lower note of dread and despair punctuated by a tolling bell. This track has all the highlights of the opener, but it sounds heavier in ways that give it greater weight. I also loved the way the quiet vocal rasps tend to mix in with the rest of the band rather than stand above them. Since the vocals here generally tend to alternate between low rasps and a louder, clearer, rasp, the effect is somehow both eerie and tough. This track brings in the drums more than the opener. Throughout, the beats hit in ways that sound like an ominous countdown. Like the opening track, this track has a mid-section romp that churns things up a little without taking away from the overall gloomy mood.

The next two tracks, “Cloaked in Nightwinds� and “Empire of the Necromancers� keep things moving along nicely. I especially liked the former because of the way it opened with a tough little riff and a louder, brighter, couple of guitar tones that set the tone. After a few moments of that, things shift into a comfortable groove before it settles into a despairing, funereal procession. This song is so gloomy, there are even a few groans. For me, “Cloaked in Nightwinds� captures Worm’s current sound perfectly. If you like that tune, you’ll also like “Empire of the Necromancers,� another gloomy number with a few cool twists and turns.

One of Worm’s strengths comes from writing songs with cool openings. All of the tracks on this album open in ways that draw the listener in without beating them over the head. Since this band is increasingly in the funeral doom camp, it’s awesome to hear how they do it all so effortlessly. “Subaqueous Funeral� plays up that strength really well by adding another layer of melancholy from what sounds like a violin but could also be a cello. Surprisingly, this tune has a slightly brighter quality to it, perhaps because of the guitar solo that shifts the tone from the gloomy to the shreddy. Here and elsewhere, that impulse to flashy soloing is slightly distracting.

Things close with “Centuries of Ooze,� the perfect balance to the opening track, especially since it sounds like it’s deliberately playing with some of the same motifs. The mid-section romp on this one is especially good.

This album is excellent. Worm’s evolution to this point has been nothing short of impressive and this album is so good that it warrants repeat listening for a long time. I’ve been through it several times already and I find myself discovering new things every time. If you’re into death-doom or funeral doom in any particular shade, this album should suit you well.

Track Listing:
1. Foreverglade (intro)
2. Murk Above the Dark Moor
3. Cloaked in Nightwinds
4. Empire of the Necromancers
5. Subaqueous Funeral
6. Centuries of Ooze

Added: February 3rd 2022
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Bandcamp Page
Hits: 936
Language: english

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