Band:	Capilla Ardiente
Album:	The Siege
Style:	Doom metal
Release date:	September 13, 2019
A review by:	Troy Killjoy

01. The Open Arms, The Open Wounds
02. The Crimson Fortress
03. The Spell Of Concealment
04. Fallen Alphas And The Rising

Doom metal is often plagued by misconceptions regarding its pacing and atmosphere, as if speed and aggression are completely foreign and unwelcome characteristics. Enter Chilean outfit Capilla Ardiente, who are here to challenge preconceived notions of what makes doom, doom.

Naturally, comparisons to Procession will be made on a surface level, but the otherwise restrictive boundaries beyond which The Siege explores is tantamount to nearly avant-garde in the context of the genre. Of course, the staples of doom are ever-present, with emotional, drawn-out epics revealed through crushing, baleful melodies. Felipe Kutzbach's effective soaring clean vocal delivery suits the evocative atmosphere, comprised mostly of standard mid-paced riffing and an abundance of masterful solo work, but the praise doesn't end there. Incorporating the more energetic aspects of traditional heavy metal into their sound, Capilla Ardiente manage to transmute the archetypal doom aspects into a power-packed amalgam of metal's emotionally burdensome, physically demanding, psychologically invigorating representation. Quite a list of accomplishments from what is a considerably "normal" release.

The Siege may take its time to settle in with you, shy in its initial approach, but extremely comfortable with return visits. The creeping buildups, constantly evolving song structures, and overwhelming instrumental expertise can be difficult to digest in a single sitting, which is what makes repeat listens so worthwhile. These layered dimensions make for an album that doesn't simply offer a one-and-done experience; rather, it necessitates intimacy by establishing each of its mere four tracks as individually novel-esque stories to be told, with their own unique themes and lessons for the reader to absorb, tempered by varying degrees of tuning, blasting, and instrumental breakdowns, reaching a grand run time of just under 45 minutes.

Careful not to sink to the stylistically lowest lows of gloom and despondency ever-present, Capilla Ardiente make a point to rock out with some excellent groove backed by beat-boosting drums, generating at times a tempo rarely met by doom standards, but one that is in no way misplaced or unfitting. It's a testament to the band's songwriting to be able to reach across the genre's generally limiting characteristics to meld with external influences so seamlessly, bringing about segments that travel conclusively throughout the doom spectrum while navigating much more challenging waters when the moment calls for an outburst of energy. They may not be the torchbearers of doom at the moment, but it would come as no surprise if this album earns a place in time as a significant piece of the future of doom as a whole.