Review DARK CHAPEL “Spirit in the Glass”

I didn’t have Dark Chapel on my radar and when I received the album I thought more of another metalcore or deathcore outfit. The band name and album artwork at least gave me that idea, but what came out of the speakers after I pressed ‘Play’ was something completely different.

Dark Chapel is the brainchild of Dario Lorina (Black Label Society), with Brody DeRozie, Mike Gunn and Luis Silva completing the line-up. After releasing two solo albums, both instrumental, Lorina has started Dark Chapter, a rock and metal hybrid that builds on the musical heritage.

The start of the album is great. “Afterglow” is the opener and puts the guitar right in the center. Up-tempo and with a solid groove, the four-piece kicks off the album powerfully and with a strong punch. Lorina was also a member of Lizzy Borden for four years and the metal sound of the 80s is what resonates in “Hollow Smile”. Interestingly enough, the song also contains a grunge vibe when it comes to the vocals, while the guitars stick to the 80s. The grunge references are even stronger in the dark “Corpse Flower” before the calm and soulful “Glass Heart” represents the emotional aspect of Dark Chapel. The following “Dead Weight” takes this approach to the next level. “Dead Weight” is a somber piano ballad before the acoustic guitar kicks off “Dark Waters”. After a fulminating start to the album, the middle section focuses on quieter songs and a lot of melancholy.

After such an unplugged part, the bluesy “All That Remains” brings back the heavier sound, while the 80s guitars return in “Gravestoned Humanity”.

“Spirit in the Glass” is a debut album that contains well-crafted music. Lorina covers many different aspects of rock and metal, a potpourri of sounds that find their roots in the 80s and 90s. With these references, the sound is still modern and powerful. “Spirit in the Glass” rocks, even if the real wow-moments are missing.