The Star

Wormwood - “The Star” 2024

Wormwood
“The Star”

Origin: Stockholm, Sweden

Genre: Melodic Black Metal

Label: Black Lodge

Sweden’s Wormwood - probably all of black metal’s best kept secret. Four LP’s and no obscure recordings: splits, demos or EP’s. Not your typical black metal band but true to the cause nonetheless. A myriad of influences make up their sound, but mainly, to take in Wormwood is to be enraptured by melody. Such is the Sverige way and none too many do it with as much zeal as Wormwood. Their albums have detailed Swedish history, natural aesthetics and more recently world collapse with their previous “Arkivet” album. Now, a new chapter is unfolding and from what I’m hearing, it’s one of soul-stirring proportions as per Wormwood usual. On May 31, Wormwood released per Black Lodge “The Star”.

The notion that black metal in its truest form is of the utmost importance is one that I support fully. That’s not to say that Wormwood’s music isn’t true in spirit, but if it’s the dry buzz and wretched atmosphere of “true BM” you’re in search of then off to Helvet with you, because this is contemporary black metal majesty. Crisp recording techniques to offset hearty folkish tones and all that melody. T. Rydsheim and fellow guitarist Nox (J. Engström) explore a number of influences from mellow, almost smooth jazz guitar parts and power leads in tracks “Liminal” to traditional tremolo riffs in others like “Galactic Blood” - unparalleled harmony and melody - a blessed union of soul and melancholy.

Fuck Christ? Hail Satan? Nowhere to be found here, and there’s certainly nothing wrong with conventional Satanic black metal, but Wormwood just aren’t there. “The Star” feels more personal, more contemplative and existential. Epic as always with a deeper-seated vibe to it much like “Arkivet”. Enough to make you really appreciate black metal’s vast capacity as the most versatile genre of extreme music. “Suffer Existence” - like the gentle settling in of dread as one contemplates a most bleak future to accompany a lifetime’s worth of transgressions. And as the drums roll and the folk unfurls, you’ll be transported to simpler days when hope and dreams still existed. Not sure what this record lyrically details, but the feeling is definitely there; a suffered sort of redemption.

Satan’s not going anywhere, my true believer. Take some time to savor some black metal for people who may not necessarily want to burn something holy. A religious experience awaits! A journey worth the shedding of tears and the remembrance of years wasted. With “The Star”, Wormwood challenge your perception of the genre, all the while as they authenticate themselves as artists who may not cut records like “Kill For Satan”, but ultimately understand the meaningfulness of black metal as an art form beholden to life’s most precious and loathsome moments. Not as superb as “Arkivet”, but that’s would be asking a lot. Still a triumph and a specimen of contemporary BM mastery.

Experience “The Star” by Wormwood right here as presented by Black Metal Promotion:

https://youtu.be/JvTFy3Yk6Ec?si=2i51ElA8WAXR5AZd

~Jeger