Review: “Self Titled” by Wyrm Chasm

Formed in March 2015 in Dallas Texas by the writing partnership of guitarist Eric Carrasco and bassist vocalist Stephen Jeter, Wyrm Chasm has long been described as a feral force of Black Metal. Rounded out by drummer Buddy Griffin and guitarist Dale Childs, the outfit have forged a sound crafted around cold oppressive atmospheres punctuated with emotionally charged riffing and furious percussive battery. The only evidence of that however has been a split EP with Psychiatric Regurgitation titled “The Purge of Shrouded Martyrdom” which saw the cold light of day in April of 2018… until now. Adorned by artwork from Mark Erskine (Apogean, Celestial Scourge, Devil’s Reef) their self titled debut album has effectively been eleven long years in the making.

Recorded at Razor Throne Studio in Austin Texas, this eight track monstrosity begins with the beastly “Netjer“, a cut with all the hallmarks of the second wave of Black Metal that sounds very much like it may have been inspired by the likes of Wolves in the Throne Room, Emperor or even Dark Funeral. Griffin’s restless and relentless percussion blows the mind as jackhammer footwork and blast beats crash and smash their way through the skull but there is so much more to it than that. He brings a sprinkle of creativity and nuance with some left field moments as well as shattering the earth in accompaniment to Jeter’s vicious snarled vocals. As an opening piece the track is foreboding, the guitars from Carrasco and Childs creating a sinister unease that works incredibly well. The warmth of Harakiri For The Sky permeates the majestic “Fall of Gaia“, the harsh, dry throated vocals a call from the void which is impossible to ignore. Despite the wonderfully abrasive nature of the onslaught there is a hummable melody at the black beating heart of this dark tale, something which makes it all the more captivating.

The knife rises in the hands of the psychopath as “Throned Entropy” takes shape, the hammering percussion like a thunderstorm of nails or a hail of bullets as the guitars laced with Scandinavian melancholia ring out. Jeter’s vocals are so fierce that he’s practically breathing fire and spitting venom on this one but it’s the textured layering of the guitars that really stands out here. It’s apparent the band have gone about their work diligently and their attention to detail has provided a weighty reward. A gentle meandering melody introduces “Duality of Existence” but rather than being blown out of the water as the percussion sweeps in, it twists and contorts to become part of the spine of the song as the Jeter delivers a storytelling masterclass. A gracious rise and fall in the middle of this one offers another dimension, the quartet relying upon rhythms and dynamics rather than conjuring forth any virtuoso moments.

Continuing to fan the flames the intense burnt offering that is “Majestas” roars into view with malicious intent as Jeter begins to sound like a wrathful God throwing lightening bolts at those who would oppose him. It’s on this one that there is a distinctive shift in the tone of his vocals as if he has a greater emotional connection with the lyrical narrative and therefore it means more. There is a jagged edge to “Eyes of the Eternal” as the double kicks help create a new structure upon which the guitars hang as the band build the mountain once more. The atmosphere feels almost supercharged as the track reaches its crescendo with a brutal roar from Jeter, the nuanced movements within the sonic abrasions having the qualities of a violent storm in the dead of the night.

That violent turbulence continues into the ripper that is “Spiraling Decay” which has a bleaker lyrical narrative if you can decipher the code from the feral sounds emanating from a dark, damp basement torture chamber hell. It’s like all your deepest, darkest fears have become reality and there is nowhere to run or hide, such is the force of the pounding percussion and sweeping dark melodic riffs. Self immolation awaits in the fires of eternal hell and that’s before the grand melancholic finale that is “Light at the End” beings. Another gloriously textured composition this six minute surpassing magnum opus scalds from the very start, leaving no stone unturned in pursuit of eternal glory. What is wonderful about this record is that it is greater than the sum of its parts, the songs forming one homogeneous mass capable of destroying everything in its path [7.5/10]

Track Listing

1. Netjer
2. Fall of Gaia
3. Throned Entropy
4. Duality of Existence
5. Majestas
6. Eyes of the Eternal
7. Spiraling Decay
8. Light at the End

“Self Titled” by Wyrm Chasm is out 23rd October 2026 and is available over at bandcamp