With how diverse and exquisite doom has become since its inception, it was only a matter of time before there would be a place from anywhere across the globe that manages to surprise us with the quality of its doom metal, and I don’t think any of us would’ve guessed Chile as the one to rise up to that challenge. From older names like Poema Arcanus to new acts like Mournument, Chile is quickly becoming a place that fans of doom simply cannot ignore. With their debut album, Immersed was entering a cutthroat scene that demands a band to be undeniably excellent in order to stand out amongst its competitors, but it’s clear with any piece of this debut that Immersed was all but destined to smash expectations with this entrance.

Whereas some might think to take their brand of doom into heavier realms in order to draw more extreme crowds in or add some new flavors from unlikely sounds like what Mournument did in their debut just a few months ago in combining doom with tasteful folk elements, it’s not always a clear path to success. Oftentimes, the most successful formula is simply the band doing their own thing, following their souls, and delivering a performance that is wholly their own. In the case of Immersed, that couldn’t be any closer to describe what has gone on within the seven tracks of “Descending”. An evocative trip that’s fantastically fitting for anywhere in the world of doom, this is an eclectic blend that manages to bring together many different pieces that would make tons of other releases throughout the style shine with this record managing to bring it all together for a spectacle that is outright dazzling from the very get-go. Electronic enhancement used sparingly for maximum effects, a tremendous array of vocals, exquisite levels of intensity that make for a viciously dynamic listen, and gorgeous harmonies in every single song make “Descending” an instant highlight for those paying attention to Chilean doom of which I can only hope that group is growing in number daily given the sheer quality that we keep getting from bands like Immersed.

This is a debut that is naught but bewildering by all accounts, and I think anybody would be incredibly remiss should they find themselves actively skipping over what has been delivered here. Nothing could’ve properly prepared me for what “Descending” accomplishes in its entirety with it feeling like an immaculate culmination of one man’s vision for what doom metal can be in all of its many forms with the reality of this record all but endlessly compelling.

LISTEN to “Descending” on Bandcamp here.