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Wormed: Planisphaerium
20/06/11 || The Duff
In the brutal death metal scene, you got about 6-7 albums that are repeatedly, universally praised: Decrepit Birth “… And Time Begins”, Disgorge “Consume the Forsaken”, Devourment “Butcher the Weak”, Defeated Sanity “Psalms for the Moribund”, Cryptopsy “None So Vile” and Wormed “Planisphaerium”. These guys hail from Spain, and with this disc have released quite the masterpiece of demolishing death metal.
It would be nice to say that this is entirely by the band’s merit, but there are two styles that are all over “Planisphaerium” (a sci-fi-themed album that isn’t prog rock of all things): a mix of slam and Suffocation breakdowns, and a serious thriving off Cryptopsy. Not to discredit at all, of course, because the way in which the album’s been formed is pure brilliance; you’d think it generic with the influences I’ve provided, but honestly everything is mixed to perfection.
Where a band like Vomit the Soul play tech then batter you down with out-of-the-blue yet entirely unsubtle slam riffs, Wormed play to the buffoonery of such a style while arranging the tech parts around it beautifully, even though the delivery at times is just as blunt. Seasoned players with outstanding musical abilities who think of structure, where a track should lead and not simply how it should blow out your ear drums.
The production is massive, dry, quite low-budget in feel but glossed over; it’s as if the muffled production of “Psalms of the Moribund” were mixed with recent Andy Sneap works with Nevermore. Some albums just hit it square on the head, “Planisphaerium” clear enough to appreciate all the intricacies under loud, battering (and as is always the case with BDM, potentially overwhelming) drums yet heavy enough to make the less cerebral riffs drop with resounding impact.
There are so many standout moments to this disc; the flow of it, the arrangement of each track, it’s all formidable stuff, and the musicianship is off the charts – some of the polyrhythms or riff mash-ups as it were on this album will leave your head spinning. Plus if you’re a fan of Cryptopsy you’ve essentially got a heavier version of “None So Vile”.
Recommended even if you’re not particularly fond of the brutal death metal sub-genre (but you’ll still have to get past the vocals) – “Planisphaerium” is more of an exceptionally heavy metal record (like most Cryptopsy, in my mind) and less of an unbearable sonic onslaught as with bands like Disgorge and early Decrepit Birth despite an unremitting nature. A modern classic.
- Information
- Released: 2003
- Label: Macabre Mementos
- Website: Wormed MySpace
- Band
- Guillemoth: bass
- J.Oliver: guitars
- Phlegeton: vocals
- Andy C.: drums
- Charly: guitars
- Tracklist
- 01. Tunnel of Ions
- 02.Geodesic Dome
- 03.Voxel Mitosis
- 04.Fragments
- 05.Ylem
- 06.Planisphaerium
- 07.Pulses in Rhombus Forms
- 08.Dehydrating
