NETHERWILDS has released the official music video for “Return The Goat,” the debut single from the project’s forthcoming first full-length album, scheduled for release later this fall via King Volume Records.
Created by David Monks of Tokyo Police Club, NETHERWILDS expands on the viral world introduced through the TikTok character Worm Chewer, transforming the medieval-inspired social media phenomenon into a fully realized musical project that blends extreme metal, folk influences, theatrical storytelling, and dark humor.
Directed by Noah Douglas and Jake Thompson, and produced by Nathaniel Min, the video follows Worm Chewer and an unlikely fellowship as they set out to recover a missing goat. What begins as a simple quest soon evolves into an adventure through the strange and often dangerous world of NETHERWILDS, populated by kings, peasants, mystics, executioners, and revolutionaries.
Speaking about the video’s release, Worm Chewer remained fully in character:
“Though mine goat hath vanished, I hath gained a fellowship of minstrels. Together we roam the kingdom performing our peasant metal in search of the goat, glory, and slightly improved living conditions.
The moving visions within this tapestry mark the start of our legend together and thou art hereby invited to become a part of it. Verily, the next time your lord is distracted by counting his coins, take up thine orb and ponder upon our quest. There are dark and strange times ahead and we shall require every peasant, serf and village fool we can muster.”
Musically, “Return The Goat” introduces NETHERWILDS’ distinctive fusion of thrash metal, industrial textures, punk aggression, medieval folk instrumentation, and cinematic world-building. Beneath its tongue-in-cheek fantasy setting lies a broader narrative exploring themes of power, inequality, survival, and rebellion.
The single serves as the opening chapter in an ongoing story that will continue throughout the coming months with additional music and details surrounding the band’s debut album.