Style: Technical death metal, progressive death metal (harsh vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Gorod, Beyond Creation, Obscura, The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decapitation
Country: Canada
Release date: 12 June 2026

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Is there an organism more innately metal than a worm? An existence confined to the dark, sustained by rot and grime—sounds a lot like the average death metal enthusiast, right? Sure, the teeth of a great white shark or claws of a grizzly bear can rip you to shreds in bursts of violence, but while these predators sleep off their last meal, the worm creeps through the muck underfoot. The only creature that could be even more metal would be a worm that survives off of carnage alone, one sustained on a constant stream of viscera; a Goreworm! Such a creature would have evolved to thrive in carnage and seek out bloodshed. Ya, it can’t get much more metal than a Goreworm.

It should therefore come as no surprise that Canada’s technical death metal act Goreworm wriggle about via a gnarly, putrid, and unforgiving form of death metal. This worm has adapted to rip through discarded flesh with clinical efficiency. Guitarists Jordan Estrela and Brent Moerschfelder leave a dripping trail of detritus behind as they tear through rapid, pummeling, and wildly technical guitar pieces with minimal reprieve throughout Miasmic Solitude. Session drummer Robin Stone pummels the unnaturally rapid heartbeat that propels the invertebrate onward. Driven by Goreworm’s dizzying instrumental proficiencies, their compositions never sit still. With an uneasy urgency, the tracks of Miasmic Solitude tear forward as the worm seems to fear missing out on a bloody morsel to a neighboring rival critter. After a couple of tracks, this pacing results in a growing listener fatigue, as the human ear begins to yearn for a touch of acoustic subtlety or even a forgiving interlude.

Miasmic Solitude is far from homogenous, unimaginative death metal though. Vibes of early The Black Dahlia Murder-esque melodic death metal infiltrate Miasmic Solitude, but with ramped up technicality and speed. Goreworm flaunt neoclassical flare in “Monuments to Murdering”, incorporate symphonic elements in “Conjuring”, and introduce light-hearted, danceable Gorod-like grooves in “Amor Vincit Omnia”. Background piano chords in closing track “Miasmic Solitude” result in a suitably eerie atmosphere, an element that would have benefitted earlier sections of Miasmic Solitude. Within individual tracks, such varied components add flair and intrigue, though become somewhat incohesive on the whole when strung together. While stating that a technical death metal album has wicked guitar solos is as obvious as pointing out that a worm shriveling on a sun-scorched pavement is in trouble, it must be said—the solos on Miasmic Solitude absolutely rip. The (aptly named) “No Reprieve” epitomizes what these grimy six-string nematodes are capable of: interweaving harmonized melodies with tremolo-bar punctuated shredding performed at the greater benefit of the song rather than simply self-indulgent noodling.   

Robert Miller’s brutal vocals are fitting and effective, though mostly lack variety or sonic contrasts, and as a result grow a bit monotonous and tiresome towards the latter half of Miasmic Solitude. Penultimate instrumental track “Strelly”, however, provides a brief reprieve and change in pace from the surrounding blazing-tempoed madness. Similarly, the openings to “Eve of Flagellation” and “Amor Vincit Omnia” lay down more of a mid-paced groove. By stripping down the technicality in these moments of more straightforward death metal-stomping, Goreworm’s brutality leaves a lasting, slimy impression. If anything, more sections of reduced tempo would have benefitted Miasmic Solitude’s flow.

No one seeks out a worm for a cuddle, so don’t expect Goreworm to provide a wide-ranging human emotional experience. Who’s got time for feelings when there’s good eatin’ about? Miasmic Solitude does suffer from being light on an underlying emotional atmosphere, though, which limits the degree of connection listeners will likely experience with Goreworm’s offering. Even still, Miasmic Solitude is a fiery display of technicality and musicianship, and one of the better melodically-infused technical death metal albums to be released this year. Don’t miss it. 

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Recommended tracks: Monuments to Murdering, Amor Vincit Omnia, No Reprieve
You may also like: Arsis, Anata, Carnosus, Vitriol
Final verdict: 7.5/10

Related links: Bandcamp | Facebook | Instagram

Label: Transcending Obscurity Records

Goreworm is:
– Robert Miller (vocals)
– Jordan Estrela (guitars)
– Brent Moerschfelder (guitars, bass)
With guests:
– Robin Stone (session drums)