Dark Chapel – Spirit in the Glass

One Listen Review

1st Listen 26 Feb 25
Reviewed 2 Mar 25

MNRK Heavy

Released 28 Feb 25

As a fan of Black Label Society, I tried and failed to get the Dark Chapel debut album to review at my main writing gig at www.metalepidemic.com, as my friend Paul Franklin picked it up before me (check out his excellent review here https://www.metalepidemic.com/dark-chapel-spirit-in-the-glass/ ). Luckily for me, Hold Tight PR had sent Spirit in the Glass direct to me, so I am able to give it my one listen review.

The main protagonist of Dark Chapel is Dario Lorina, best known as the guitarist for Black Label Society alongside Zakk Wylde. Spirit in the Glassis perhaps an attempt to ease himself out of the shadows.

It all starts so well with ‘Afterglow’, a track that has hints of classic rock with a very decent riff. Vocally, Lorina hits the mark, not meaty, but consistently crisp and clean. It is an

opening track you would expect to hear from a 10 year + veteran of BLS. The 2^nd song follows up with another well-crafted riff. ‘Hollow Smile’ is enjoyable, but without flexing any muscles. It does make you want to sing-along though, even if you don’t know the words on the first listen.

What is obvious is the link Lorina has to BLS. The tone and style of riff mirrors that band, which is fairly obvious considering the history. Fortunately, Lorina’s vocals are a different cadence that Zakk’s. A crucial factor that utterly differentiates the 2 bands. Lorina can sound like Layne Staley in 1 track, then be channelling his inner Paul Rodgers in another. Check out ‘Corpse Flower’ for the former and ‘All That Remains’ for the latter. This variety is key to enjoying the album.

Unfortunately, this is an album of 2 halves. Side A has the rocker vibe, cool guitar licks and a slight hint of oomph. From track 6 onwards, the pace changes and it becomes a far more sedate affair. ‘Dead Weight’ helps to demonstrate Lorina’s multi-instrument ability, with him playing piano, but it is dull and could be seen as a filler, if it wasn’t a sign of the direction of the rest of the album.

In truth, I switch off from the following track, ‘Dark Waters’. It is another plodding number that really didn’t grab me and Spirit in the Glass never recovered for me.

Perhaps this is my fault? I could be the only one who didn’t like the slow, but still well-executed songs. We all know that Lorina can shred and is an incredibly competent musician. Perhaps I am too much of a philistine in my approach to listening to music.

Perhaps.

But perhaps I am correct and that Spirit in the Glass does lose its way in the back end?

You will have to listen to it to make up your own mind, but me? It is unlikely this will get many future listens, as 1 was, sadly, enough.