One of the most exciting thing about black metal for me right now is the sheer diversity of sounds that the genre has been able to bring in. Perhaps there is no better example of this than the truly unique sounds pursued by one man army Balan on The Ladder, the latest offering from his long running (And always badass) project, Palace Of Worms. Produced by Greg Wilkinson, because of course it is, this is an album that takes a more traditional West Coast black metal sound and fearlessly injects a wealth of powerful and unique elements in order to make a record that touches the brain as much as the heart, that sees weird acoustic passages and choral moments contrasted with death rock ideas and pure black metal – it's a fascinating take on a genre we love.
What gets me about The Ladder time and time again is how much variety is showcased in the sound. It goes a step beyond the hyperborean landscapes, forests and fjords that define most black metal. Instead, you dive into whirlpools of sound and embrace synthesizer heavy musical worlds. Sure there are ties to be made to all manner of classic bands, but the implementation of outer sound and elements that most black metal musicians would sneer at, or simply not know how to incorporate, only helps to cement a place for The Ladder in my heart. This is an album that feeds off weirdness, but still has enough familiarity to keep you on the ground. Though there are flashes of the bizarre that leave you gobsmacked, you can always return to those beloved black metal roots.
There is something transcendent about The Ladder, and it's not just the usual black metal magic that gives so many dweebs like me hard ons. No. It's the willingness to toss in something totally out of left field and then layer that over a more familiar sound. It means that the journey you take is powerful, but also unique. Rather than falling under a blur of peers, Palace Of Worms have used this record to prove that they have none. Well, maybe Horseback, but even then you're getting a little iffy. What matters is that this is a band who are not just pushing boundaries, but creating a world of their own, using the framework of a forgotten time.
The Ladder offers a lot to unpack, a whole hell of a lot more than I can really try and communicate in a several hundred word review. What I will say is that Palace Of Worms have pushed themselves to the brink on this record, and though occasionally I feel like they lose sight of their end goal, Balan has managed to create one of the more interesting black metal records of 2016. The product of years of work, you can feel the lovingly crafted harmonies and raging riffs coming together to create something greater. This is an album that points to a bold future for Palace Of Worms, one that Balan has been building for years now. So with a decade long legacy behind them, Palace Of Worms have taken the next step.
Score: 8.5/10
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