WITHERING WORLDS is a Melodic Black Metal project with symphonic elements, based in the Netherlands. Wanderer started the project in late 2014 and spent the years 2014-2019 writing and arranging what would become "The Long Goodbye".  Void joined the project as lead vocalist in January 2020. Artistically, Withering Worlds focuses on crafting progressive and multi-layered music blending aggression, atmosphere and melancholy. The album contains seven tracks.

"In Search of the Withering Worlds (Prelude)" leads off the album. What a pretty song...it opens with melodious bells and some background ambiance. The Symphonic elements are sophisticated but also accessible. Powerful opener. "Hour of Trial" begins with harsh, fast-moving sounds with a myriad of various orchestral elements. The piano notes are wonderful, and the way the composer ducks in and out of harsh passages shows a creative sense of songwriting. The clean vocals are also very well done. The song culminates in a crescendo of beauty that could bring a tear to your eyes.

"The Long Goodbye" begins with a slower moving riff and some powerful, emotive instrumentation. It transitions to a commanding harsher sound, but with that melody still very much alive. Waxing and waning along the way, the transitions from clean to harsh passages is very natural. Once again, the ending really stamps the sound here. "Memories (Interlude)" is a quick one-minute rest before the grandiose "Transcendence" is presented. A ten-minute opus, and the careful crafting of a seasoned songwriter, the song moves swiftly and easily between moments of pure beauty with moments of pure anger and hate. A very moving guitar solo towards the end of the song really captures what sublime elements the band pushes.

"Journey Through the Black Winter" begins with a slightly darker tone where the opening melodies are just a bit sad. Harsh vocals carry forward until come clean harmonics come. Just before the half-way mark, you can hear the subject crunching his way though the snow with purpose. Where is he headed? He is light on his feet and seems to know exactly where to go. The blackness of winter will not consume him. "Watcher of Fading Stars (Postlude)" closes the album. Beginning with soft and pensive recorder notes, strings join the melodious fold. You stop and stare at the heavens on a clear, cold eve. If you stop for too long, and let your mind race with the possibilities of how small our planet is within the infinite universe, you might never rejoin the world of the living. Yet, there is something calming about that prospect.

This was a very good Black Metal album that takes full advantage of the plethora of different sounds that are available to the composer. They remind me of UNREQVITED in this manner. If you stripped off the harsh vocals, which remind you of the darker parts of life, you would be left with a wonderfully complex set of melodies from strings, horns, and percussion that are both emotive and alive. Bravo, fellas, this is a beautifully dark offering here that will tantalize the senses.