GENRE; Metal
LABEL; Century Media
RATING; 4/5
Necropalace, the bold new full-length from Florida’s enigmatic extreme metal duo Worm, represents a dramatic evolution in the band’s sound and artistic vision. Released on February 13, 2026 via Century Media Records, the album pushes the group’s self-described “nekromantic black doom” into the grand, theatrical realm of symphonic black metal—a shift that’s as ambitious as it is divisive.
Clocking in at about an hour over seven tracks, Necropalace trades much of Worm’s earlier swamp-like doom textures for expansive compositions filled with chilling keyboards, soaring guitar work, and gothic atmosphere. Songs like “Halls of Weeping” and “The Night Has Fangs” capture a haunting, candlelit ambience that recalls the dramatic pageantry of early ’90s black metal greats, yet through a decidedly modern lens.
Guitarist Wroth Septentrion brings a virtuosic flair throughout the album, layering intricate solos with sweeping melodies that elevate the record above simple genre pastiche. The presence of former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman on the 14-minute closer “Witchmoon – The Infernal Masquerade” adds an unexpected, electrifying highlight that balances sheer technical prowess with haunting melodic weight.
Vocally, frontman Phantom Slaughter shifts between black-metal ferocity and more controlled, expressive passages, helping the album feel like a gothic narrative as much as a collection of songs.
However, not all reactions are uniformly positive. Some fans online feel the album’s heavy reliance on symphonic tropes makes it feel derivative of influences like Dimmu Borgir, and that part of Worm’s earlier doom-laden charm is lost in the transition.
All told, Necropalace is a richly textured and cinematic work—an immersive plunge into a haunted metal soundscape that’s willing to embrace grandeur, excess, and melodrama in equal measure.
