Today we have the privilege of sharing an early stream of “Virescent Fire” the latest featured track taken from Portland, Maine-based death/doom metal quartet WORM ALTAR‘s debut full-length album ‘Pillars of Eternal Dusk‘. What began as a solo project back in 2021 has evolved into a full lineup beyond 2024 with a punishing ‘old school’ atmospheric death/doom metal sound leading their dark path. Taking notes from greats like Gorement and Winter as well as the heaving, haunted mannerisms of groups like Mortiferum and Grave Upheaval their work on this debut strikes a fine balance between wrathful battery, lung-emptying roars and lumbering, sludge-heavy doom metal riffs.

Today we’re focusing on “Virescent Fire”, a mid-album track which showcases the albums solid riff count and Worm Altar‘s knack for heavier death metal grooves by way of doom and sludge stoked movement. Intending a piece which reveals itself riff-after-riff the band describe the experience: “…All was dark but for the virescent fire. […] The song guides the listener through 6 minutes of pummeling rhythms, oozing guitar riffs and ghastly vocals. Layers upon layers of murk are finally peeled away to reveal a finale of haunting, anthemic melody.”

Thanks goes out to WORM ALTAR and the good folks at Dawnbreed Records, Gurgling Gore + Contemn Light and their representation for the opportunity to share this song early. Scroll down to the Bandcamp embed below to finalize your descent… As always, support the global death metal underground and grab a copy on CD, LP and Cassette this coming October 16th, 2026:

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Per the Press Release:

Portland, Maine death metal outfit WORM ALTAR will release their debut full-length album, “Pillars of Eternal Dusk”, on October 16th, 2026 via Dawnbreed Records and Gurgling Gore on LP and CD formats, limited to 300 and 400 copies, respectively. The cassette edition will be released as a co-release between Gurgling Gore and Contemn Light, featuring two limited label-exclusive shell color variants.

There is something genuinely repulsive about the sound of WORM ALTAR. Crude, abrasive and seemingly dragged out of some damp, lightless corner of the underground, “Pillars of Eternal Dusk” refuses to polish away the rough edges that give its death metal such an unsettling presence. Yet beneath the layer of grime, the album reveals itself to be far more carefully constructed than its initial assault might suggest.

Great riffs emerge from the murk, memorable enough to stick in the head long after the noise has subsided. Subtle melodic details and understated atmospheric touches lurk beneath the surface, adding depth without ever compromising the album’s oppressive character. The rawness is therefore not an end in itself: it is the most appropriate vehicle for music that aims to feel uneasy, crawling and fundamentally diseased.

Drawing inspiration from Gorement, Phrenelith, Disembowelment, Coffins, Mortiferum, Grave Upheaval and Black Sabbath, WORM ALTAR operate in that particularly fertile territory where death metal becomes less a display of brute force than an exercise in atmosphere, physicality and dread.

Tracklist:

01. Under the Shadow of Night…
02. Splaying the Offal
03. Watchers of the Gate
04. Virescent Fire
05. The Blind One
06. Dusk Eternal

Founded in late 2021 as the solo project of Scott M. (guitars, vocals), WORM ALTAR initially released the “Demo 2022” tape through Acid Redux Productions and the “Astral Scourge” EP in 2023 via Gurgling Gore and Total Death Over Mexico. After expanding into a full band, the lineup was completed by John S. on drums, Jon M. on bass and Rob C. on guitar. Jon M. is also a member of sludge/doom legends Come To Grief, while Rob C. handles guitar and vocals in progressive death metal outfit Shabti.

“Pillars of Eternal Dusk” was recorded largely live in just ten hours by Todd Hutchisen at Acadia Recording Company in the band’s hometown of Portland. Mixing was handled by Ethan Camp, whose credits include the debut albums of Mortiferum and Mephitic Corpse, while mastering was completed by Dan Lowndes at Resonance Sound Studio, known for work with Ancient Death, Blood Incantation, Cerebral Rot, Imprecation, Infester and Spectral Voice.

Following the release, WORM ALTAR will perform throughout New England and Canada, bringing the filth of “Pillars of Eternal Dusk” to the stage.

Line-up:

Scott M. – Guitars, Vocals
John S. – Drums
Jon M. – Bass
Rob C. – Guitar

WORM ALTAR

https://www.instagram.com/wormaltar

https://wormaltar.bandcamp.com/Dawnbreed Records

https://www.dawnbreed.com/Gurgling Gore

https://www.gurglinggore.com

https://gurglinggore.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/gurglinggoreContemn Light

https://contemnlight.bandcamp.com

https://www.instagram.com/contemnlight

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