One of the most intriguing parts of the German Progressive Rockers CHAPEL OF DISEASE is that you can expect the unexpected. Their shifts, both in the musical horizons and artistry in general, are always notable since their previous endeavor, “And As We Have Seen the Storm, We Have Embraced The Eye,” was released back in 2018. Through their fourth opus entitled “Echoes Of Light,” the foundation niche between Dark Metal and Prog Rock music that is melancholic and plain eerie is perfectly delivered over here. That atmospheric radiance that the listeners are longing for from the alpha to omega of the strangely metallic Prog Rock could easily be found here only if one is willing to remove their stigma that Rock’n’Roll has boundaries. The names TRIBULATION and MORBUS CHRON probably come in appreciation of their current groundwork – that immersive soundscape is immense. However, pointing out those two fusions of forces towards the work of CHAPEL OF DISEASE is a bit depthless, as their return seemed to destroy that barrier between the benchmark that befell and shall befall them. If the listeners approach “Echoes Of Light” with an open arm, this dangerous quartet is offering their own signature, a solid trace that was left from their third opus, which is a profound space sonic soundscape in the shadow of proggy roots. Through the opener, ‘Echoes Of Light’, it seems that the band invites the listener on an endless quest for undiscovered ethereal harmonies and blissful vibes in metallic Rock music. There is an enormous amount of unspoken intimacy between their scales. A matter that is a bit hard to find these days. Some Gothic progressions in the guitar work adjust to a new level of impressive grasp in their first track. It blends flawlessly, particularly when the vocal erupts. It’s all pleasant sounding and even more relaxing at the same time. Regardless, some solo guitar and the harmonies textures are simple and memorable, but they are not easily accessible. That is the point where the listener can call it CHAPEL OF DISEASE is magic. Then comes the surprising ‘A Death Though No Loss’. The predominant Heavy Metal influence in the intro is truly hypnotic. A powerful way of summoning greater attention to what lies beyond the rest of the song on their new album. Before the music is lighter, but without pulverizing the character of the second song of this album, the double pedal hook builds another interesting facet. And the acoustic guitar towards the end of the song is just enhancing the mystery of their light. The nakedness of this sequence is able to give the record some room to breathe before that heavy attack once again crashes the wave and explodes in their sky. When the power of ‘Shallow Nights’ appears, the listener cannot escape. It is like diving into a cold lake of sorrow and a dreamlike night without an end. That shoegazing vocal performance is spellbinding. Their shapeshifting through a tangle of catchy guitar textures is very compelling. The listener must admit that their vast experience is otherworldly. Tickling under more than seven minutes, there is an unimaginable sphere of meaningful music in their own labyrinth of progressive music. ‘Selenophile’ offers an incredibly dark and hooky Gothic sound. This is probably a delightful treat for those who followed the band on their third album. Once again, their minimalist guitar rhythm notes cast a great darkness and mystical element to this Gothic Rock approach. Speaking of which, one of the strong highlights of this fourth track is the solo guitar. That leadwork effortlessly brings the listener further and gets lost every second. And there is a great pause on the next song, ‘Gold / Dust’ on purpose. Another piece of magnetic and clever take on the guitar department. It gives perfect goosebumps when the brief ecstatic lead on this song displays itself so passionately. Textual strings approach mixed with massively dreamy solo playing – the road ahead is as bright as the sun. Despite being the shortest song on “Echoes Of Light,” the staggering vision of the song seems as effective as their exceptional song structure. There are enough, not pretentious, ideas to fuel this material without discriminating against the previous tracks. Entering the finale of their fourth album with the song ‘An Ode To The Conqueror’. Here’s what the listener can savor: the prowess of their recent offering, which is none other than ’70s proggy Rock mixed with awe-inspiring dreamy shoegaze style. It sounds like the endless journey has finally reached the point where the destination is not the desired purpose, but the company is. The company and its essence of “Echoes Of Light” reverberate deep in the hearts and souls of the listeners.Their trembling beauty is conveyed through the flawless combination of their brilliant sound design. They shine through the darkness into the light. Their capacity to create unconventional mixes of heavy music with the mystery of dreamlike music can be defined as a victorious spiritual journey into the depths of finding dignity on the musical horizon. Furthermore, the artwork by Waeik truly complements the outcome of the finest sound production by V. Santura at Woodshed Studios. “Echoes Of Light,” the new work of CHAPEL IS DISEASE once again elevates their own games and surpasses their past catalogs. Through their fourth album, the band is once again showcasing that the future of heavy music is shining brightly even in a cloudless sky. The will to take risks and push boundaries beyond the comprehension of the common man is probably the key to resolving around a different axis in an elegant way. www.facebook.com/chapelofdisease, www.facebook.com/vanrecords