Review by Adam M on February 2, 2026.

This was a solid album that revolutionized metal because of the symphonic tendencies.  It is an innovative album that is now an interesting addition to the metal world.  The atmosphere is fantastic and the usual instrumentation impeccable.  It is one of the premier symphonic releases along with Septic Flesh, for example.

The instrumentation is very strong with a good reliance on guitar work that is backed up by a strong symphony that puts poignancy to the majestic riffs.  There is a hypnotic tone to the vocalist and this adds colour to the recording.  The entire affair is very vibrant and one of the more busy metal recordings you shall find.

If there is a flaw to the album it is that it is perhaps surpassed by the likes of albums like Septic Flesh’s The Great Mass.  There is very little to dislike here however and it makes an impact because there are very few albums that sound like it.  It is by far the band’s best album and along with Septic Flesh and other bands like Ne Obliviscaris some of the most innovative music to be found.

Overall, I really enjoyed this album and it holds a strong place in my heart.  It is quite the album that is vibrant and full of life.  There are few symphonic albums that hold up to it and it remains a classic album over time and one everyone should hear.  The band are firing on all cylinders here and playing excellent music.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Review by Tobias on August 31, 2001.

The vision here isn’t just unique, it’s intense, well conceived and just plain massive. Hellenthon is a rarity of a gem and people had better start paying attention or they will be missing out on some of the wildest propensity for a unique brand of melodic death metal.

It’s few and far between that an album can surprise a listener with the very first notes, let alone suspend that surprise throughout the entire album, but that’s exactly what happens in Hollenthon’s sophomore effort, Vilest of Worms…. The cliched phrase describing albums as the ultimate Armageddon between angels and devils has never been more deserved. This is the soundtrack to an ethereal battle of indescribable proportions.

This disc is orchestral melodic death metal that must be listened to in whole. Even without the use of classical instruments such as violins, cellos, trumpets and more, the arrangement of the meat-and-potatoes metal instruments is reminiscent of the thunderous symphonies of Wagner or Tchaikovsky.

Then there is the intensity displayed here; oh holy hell, what driving force! There is simply layer upon layer of puritanical symphonic mayhem. But the intensity doesn’t stop there, it flows right through to the surprises that Hollenthon throws at the listener with alternate vocals, female vocals and choral movements that inspire the imagination to envision magnificent scenes of power and destruction.

From the opening notes that will snap you out of your chair to the monstrous victory march that marks the end of this coruscating metal epic, the listener will be enveloped in an extraordinary bed of sound.

I think perhaps by saying any more than I have, I would be wasting my words. It is time for you to experience the Vilest of Worms direct from Hollenthon.

Bottom Line: Here you can find the blazing glory of symphonic metal embodied to near perfection in a single CD. I have no complaints; perhaps I should listen to it another 20 times to find one.

Rating: 10 of 10