Band:	Capilla Ardiente
Album:	Where Gods Live And Men Die
Style:	Doom metal
Release date:	October 18, 2024
Guest review by:	Blackcrowe

01. Envenomed
02. The Hands Of Fate Around My Neck
03. Now Here. Nowhere.
04. As I Lie On The Summit

The Chapel Still Burns.

The Chilean doom metal band Capilla Ardiente has released their third studio album, Where Gods Live And Men Die. Based in Rancagua, the band first gained attention with their debut album, Bravery, Truth And The Endless Darkness. They have since performed at major doom festivals and opened for Candlemass. Capilla Ardiente was formed in 2006 by bassist Claudio Botarro and singer Felipe Plaza. The name “Capilla Ardiente” (“Burning Chapel”) refers to a ceremonial space where people honor the deceased before burial or cremation.

With Where Gods Live And Men Die, the band stays true to their doom roots while exploring new sounds. The album showcases their growth, featuring longer songs and more complex, progressive arrangements that add atmosphere and depth. The four tracks on the album are lengthy—only one clocks in at just under ten minutes—and move through various sections, almost like metallic equivalents of symphonic poems. These compositions are filled with subtle tempo shifts and atmospheric changes.

However, this new approach has its drawbacks. The sound and mix isn’t as strong as on their earlier albums, and, at times, the songs feel like they stray from the band’s classic style. Still, the musicianship remains solid: Claudio “Botarrex” on bass, Julio Borquez and Igor Leiva on guitars, Felipe Plaza on vocals, and Francisco Aguirre on drums all deliver tight performances, with monumental riff work that creates an immersive atmosphere.

I admire when a band pushes their limits, and Capilla Ardiente does so here, though not without challenges. At times, the album feels overly ambitious, leading to moments of inconsistency. There’s a sense that the band held back slightly, not fully committing to their new direction. Even so, they manage to blend progression with their signature doom sound.

Some fans might be surprised by the band’s shift on Where Gods Live And Men Die. The album is best experienced in one sitting, as that’s the optimal way to appreciate its full impact. While it’s not the band’s best record, it’s still a strong release and maybe one of the best releases of the year. Immersive, atmospheric, and full of creativity, this album shows that the chapel still burns.