One Listen Review
1st Listen 19 Oct 26
Reviewed 23 Oct 26
Wyrm Chasm – Wyrm Chasm
Self Released
Released 23 Oct 26
Texan black metal quartet Wyrm Chasm have finally gotten round to releasing their self-titled debut album, a mere 11 years after their first EP and 8 since a split album. So this has obviously given them a bit of time to hone their black metal chops so to speak.
Coming in at around 41 ½ minutes, Wyrm Chasm is 8 tracks of raw, occasionally melodic, atmospheric album that promises much and almost delivers on that promise. The opening track, ‘Netjer’, is a fast, explosive song. The immediate thought is that the vocals from bassist/vocalist, Stephen Jeter are in a traditional black metal style. They seem to sit slightly lower in the mix, which works well, and the busy, almost frantic nature of the song impresses.
After the promising opening, ‘Fall of Gaia’ raises the bar. The song benefits from the slower, rumbling start before it kicks off proper. This was the first of only a few of the songs where the riff got my head nodding a bit. The guitar work is interesting, giving depth to the overall feeling it provides.
Perhaps it is ‘Throned Empathy, where Wyrm Chasm totally excel. Easily the most atmospheric song on the album, it absolutely rattles along, occasionally pausing for breath. There is no underlying subtly here, this is a track
with a superb tone, especially as it draws to a close, and is just a strong example of modern black metal.
Perhaps the unfortunate thing about the album is that the zenith has been hit. Having my favourite 3 tracks as the opening section of the album means that it has the appearance of being front-loaded. This is perhaps unfair. There is absolutely nothing to dislike about Wyrm Chasm. It is an album with no real weak songs. Yes, it lacks a bit of variety on occasions, but what black metal album doesn’t.
Black metal, like many metal genres, is limited by its conventions. What Wyrm Chasm do well is play into these conventions, the vocals are on point, tremolo guitar riffs are there and the omnipresent blast-beats form the basis for the whole album. This album is a well-crafted, self-released, slab of black metal, delivered with utter conviction and has enough high moments to warrant your attention.
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