Warthur Chilean doom metal masters Procession stride up to Messiah Marcolin-era Candlemass and swipe the crown right off their heads. Yes, they are a little derivative of predecessor bands in the traditional doom metal genre (F. Plaza's vocals even take on a Messiah-like quality here and there), but this sort of doom metal is inherently nostalgic in any event, and like heroes such as Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass, Procession are able to take their influences and work their own magic with it - in particular, they have one of the best commands of melody and texture I have seen in a metal context for a good long time. These guys are most definitely ones to watch on the doom metal front.

Time Signature The art of making the second album...

Genre: traditional doom metal

Hailing from Chile, which is not exactly associated with doom and gloom, Procession are a traditional doom metal band. Their debut full-length from 2010 "Destroyers of the Faith" was deservedly heralded by many reviewers and fans as the doom metal debut of the year. And so the next challenge to Procession would be to make the difficult second album.

And, you know what.

They succeeded.

"To Reap Heavens Apart" is even better than "Destroyers of the Faith". The band operates within the same territory of traditional doom metal as on the debut album, but they have just become better at it. The music on the album is simply massive and darkly epic. Every song treats the listener to heavy and melancholic riffs, and many songs definitely reach Candlemass-esque levels of quality. Of course, you have to be a fan of doom metal, I think, to be able to appreciate this kind of music fully, but if you are, then you are really in for a treat here.

As mentioned, there has definitely been some development since "Destroyers of the Faith". Felipe Plaza has developed as a vocalist, and his expressive and melancholic voice really comes to shine on this album, and it suits the music perfectly. As songwriters Procession have also honed their skills, and the tracks on this album are kept interesting and relevant through-out the album, which also features loads of memorable, and melancholic, guitar melodies.

This is a masterpiece of traditional doom metal. I hope that Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, and Count Raven are proud to have inspired this band!