Out 19 February, 2026
Via Unique Leader Records
Words by: Liam Hedges
From the outset of this EP with the first track The Omen, Worm Shepard are out for blood, demonstrating both their ability to craft vast soundscapes and the sheer immense brutality of their breakdowns. An atmosphere is quickly created with the clean guitars which, to me, create an image of a great fantasy army amassing. Vocalist Ian Smith’s performance out of the gate is both commanding of said army and punishing. This climaxes at the ending of the track with a hard cut into huge pummelling lows and a breakdown that truly states that this EP has arrived, and the stank face is completely uncontrollable.
Soulless lament immediately kicks off into a fast, blasting-blackened section, picking the listener back up from the auditory beating just received. Ultimately though more beatings are on the way, with another huge breakdown to close out the track.
A reprieve, track 3 the Feast exhibits a more medium pace, with a groove that will have you head bobbing. The clean section through the middle of the track creates a dynamic passage through which each instrument is allowed to sing, creating a space for reflection for the listener. This is thoughtfully placed in the release, splitting the halves neatly.
Sanctified Rot exhibits another aspect of Worm Shepard with a more melodic feel, balanced between huge orchestra sections and the ever crushing vocals, also picking the energy back up into the second half of the EP.
The final track, Whispers of a Buried Land is the longest track of the release, but somehow flies by. Starting with a moody passage and swelling vocalisations a real atmosphere is created which, when joined by the unrelenting kicks of the drums, encompasses a summary of what this release has been. The orchestration builds intensity throughout the track, building a feeling of anxiety before finally finishing with a fade-out, creating a sense of calm just seconds before the completion of the EP.
Orchestrations, blinding kick drums and blistering guitars combine into this atmospheric rampage of a release. Worm Shepard places themselves steadily as a force to be reckoned with in modern deathcore, with members from Immortal Disfigurement, Ingested and Archaic Epidemic knowing all too well exactly what they are doing.
I’ll admit that I haven’t closely kept up with most recent deathcore releases, giving most of my attention to other extreme metal genres, but what Worm Shepard has created with this EP kept my attention undivided from beginning to end. This close to 24-minute release hits hard, and wastes no time demonstrating the diversity that is possible while still being a clear example of blackened deathcore. The release is uncompromising, exciting and well worth the listen.
Out for now,
Metal Cult 666
