The midsummer breeze carried an ominous memo of an imminent night of gloomy, heavy-metal rituals, beckoning a riveted crowd of fans ready for a sabbath at the Meadows in the heart of Williamsburg. The esoteric duo Worm, joined by three intentionally taunting openers, conjured the incantation of black magic. This review will analyze the ways in which Worm and their openers collectively transformed the evening into one of the most intemperate ceremonies I’ve witnessed in a while, demonstrating both the immersive power and enduring cultural significance of extreme metal. The gathering stayed confounded as more arrived in packs. The night was driven by three opening bands—Heretic Bodyhammer, Evoken, and Siege Column—advocating for Worm. An air of desecration eroded the club early, further befouled by Heretic Bodyhammer’s apocalyptic sounds.
At 6:30, New York’s Heretic Bodyhammer initiated the evening’s performances with their signature iron-branded death metal. The ensemble comprises guitarist Velvet Worm, bassist Giltinė, and Tombiosis, who manages both drums and vocals. Together, the trio delivered a devilish set that unfolded over approximately twenty-five minutes, beginning with Blood Alloy, which immediately captivated the audience. They continued by performing additional audience favorites, such as Oblivion Doorway, ultimately preparing the stage for Evoken.
Then it was time for South Jersey’s Evoken to emerge fearless, taking over and captivating the audience for thirty-five minutes as some latecomers trickled in. John Paradiso and Vince Verkay led the band through four expansive soundscapes, each intensifying in atmosphere, especially during Matins. Rooted in doom and death metal traditions, Evoken’s performance featured slow tempos, dense atmospheres, and layered instrumentation, which fostered a pervasive sense of existential dread. Their set drew on elongated riffs, somber melodies, and dynamic shifts that created inescapable melancholy. Rather than relying on combative aggression, Evoken’s nihilistic style, as demonstrated in Purest Absolution, wielded a lingering impact. Their restrained stage presence, with minimal movement or theatrics, further emphasized the music’s emotional intensity. While not every audience member appeared equally affected, Evoken concluded their set with Compline, leaving some 450 headbangers ready for Siege Column’s impending performance.
After Evoken’s set concluded, the terrain inside the Meadows shifted as anticipation mounted for the next act, Siege Column. The transition between bands was marked by a surge of activity, with the crowd swelling as Fulci and Venom supporters joined the ranks alongside those drawn by Heretic Bodyhammer and Evoken. This ongoing influx contributed to the venue’s near-overflowing state, setting the stage for the penultimate performance. Enthusiasts of Garden State death metal rallied for Siege Column as Joe Aversario unleashed vigorous fretboard work and intense vocals, accompanied by his instrumental partner Shawnslaught Skullkrusher. Bolstered by their touring rhythm section, the band delivered powerful renditions of tracks such as Dark Velocity. Throughout their almost 30-minute set, they commanded the stage with high speed and raw energy, inciting a circle pit and sparking strong audience engagement. Joe and Shawnslaught’s robust performance heightened the intensity in the room, seamlessly bridging the transition from Siege Column’s devastation to the impending arrival of Worm, whose performance would bring the night’s proceedings to a climactic close.
As fog thickened and the venue filled to capacity, the final, somber ritual commenced with Worm’s five-member lineup delivering blackened death metal meant to saturate the space in an atmosphere of gloom. The band consists of Phantom Slaughter (vocals), Wroth Septentrion (guitar), and an additional guitarist well-known among fans for his work with Aether Realm, along with members on bass and drums forming an imposing rhythm section. Worm initiated their set with seven songs, opening the performance with Gates to the Shadowzone and Necropalace. Their presentation captivated the crowd of black-clad fans and corpse-painted enthusiasts, many of whom moshed while others stood entranced. The performance was anchored by the vocal and guitar prowess of Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion, supported by the powerful contributions of their fellow guitarist, bassist, and drummer, whose collective efforts intensified the band’s vampiric sound.
Worm’s overall frosty Brooklyn possession lasted close to an hour, a horrific adventure shaded by 2026’s Necropalace. The band offered ninety-five percent of their newest practice in black magic, missing only the final cut, Witchmoon: The Infernal Masquerade, and going deep into the fog-dwelling eclipse with The Night Has Fangs and Blackheart. If black metal is any indication, Phantom Slaughter is vibrant to watch on stage—provided your eyes do not become murky from the unholy amount of faux mist Worm dispatches in a club setting. Like Jyrki 69, Phantom Slaughter embraces the tagline from The Lost Boys: Sleep all day. Party all night. Never grow old. Never die. It’s fun to be a vampire. He made that clear through props such as raising a broadsword and swaying triumphantly with his arms in the air. He transfixed the New York congregation, ripping open the mic like a younger Shagrath, and slyly mean-mugging like Abbath beside Wroth, haunting the Meadows with evil vibrations. To recognize the three other mysterious specters, the trio—with the overarching apparitional sounds of Worm—effectively enhanced Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion’s demonic creations.
For the chilled live setting and, first and foremost, for such dense music, the two leaders and the triad of nightbringers locked into a sound while making the most of the limited stage space. Worm drew the audience in with their art, seemingly submerging themselves in headbanging and moshing. The band bewitched the crowd and made the Meadows crumble. The liturgy was about to conclude, and in the sinister finale, Phantom Slaughter gave not an iota of a fuck, smoking a cigarette in the smoggy spotlight as Worm snapped their acolytes and disciples back to reality with one more terrifying journey titled Sea of Sorrow.
Those already invested in Worm’s music can fully recognize the considerable effort and deliberate artistry that the band brings to each performance, forgoing unnecessary embellishments in favor of a concise but majestic presentation. For newcomers, experiencing a Worm concert offers more than just remarkable and memorable moments; it provides a distinctive opportunity to immerse themselves in the intensity and nuanced atmosphere of blackened death metal, even in brief encounters. To fully appreciate the performance, newcomers may benefit from familiarizing themselves with Worm’s recent discography or exploring related bands such as Emperor or Hooded Menace in advance. Engaging with the live show by observing both the sonic and visual elements—such as stage theatrics and audience interaction—can further enhance one’s understanding of the band’s appeal. Accordingly, Worm’s status as essential listening and a must-see act for admirers of these genres becomes clear. Their live shows create an immersive, haunting environment that leaves a lasting impression, exemplifying the power of extreme metal to captivate audiences through both artistry and community.
Their newest U.S dominion is finalizing, but I’m certain they will haunt the states again, unionized by the finest local acts your town, Heretic Bodyhammer, Evoken, and Siege Column did their part in melting the Meadows or spreading maleficence nationwide with a legendary group from the annals of death or black metal history. From effortlessly conducting compelling odysseys of darkly might, an engrossing time witnessing Phantom Slaughter and Wroth Septentrion is curated for total appreciation, head-banging if desired, and an offering of the blackest of the black times infinity you or your friends won’t forget.
