HELA – A REIGN TO CONQUER

'Vessel to Nowhere' opens up with a brief spoken-word intro before diving into a brooding, doomy and atmospheric riff. The band unfolds the song with patience, blending heavy guitars, sweeping melodies, and a mood that balances melancholy with subtle optimism . Julián Velasco’s guitar layers create a spacious, cinematic landscape, Tano Giménez’s bass adds warmth and depth, and Miguel Fernández’s restrained drumming gives the music room to breathe. In the following tracks, HELA put their vocals front and center, allowing them to grow with the music and demonstrate that they don't necessarily operate in traditional doom metal boundaries. With the next track 'The Infinite Tower', HELA came up with a song that feels both ethereal and also dynamic. Clean guitar lines and soaring vocals blend in with blazing riffs and spiraling solos that put you in despair, creating emotional depth while stepping beyond typical doom sound concepts. Elements of New Wave or post-punk  are subtle but clearly there to add texture. Balanced by an underlying current of melancholy and wonder makes it a fitting song for the album. 'Crystal Bridge' clearly stands out as one of the highlights on "A Reign to Conquer". The track feels delicate and fleeting, with layered guitar harmonies complementing Navarro’s vocals, which spreads a melancholic and atmospheric elegance. HELA demonstrates that doom metal is not just crushing; it can be both incredibly dark but also strikingly beautiful. 'Emerald Mirror' follows with a track that emphasizes rhythm, giving the guitars more bite while retaining their melodic core. The song feels tighter and reveals a slightly more aggressive side of the band. The sound continues to push forward with weight, guided by Navarro’s trance-like vocals and Julián Velasco’s storytelling guitar work. Velasco’s use of reverb, delay, and textural effects creates a flowing, spacious sonic landscape where the riffs carry weight without overwhelming, allowing the true atmosphere of the album to emerge between the notes.

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The album closes with 'Nomad', a track that ties together the themes and motifs explored throughout "A Reign to Conquer". Opening with a quiet, meditative atmosphere, it gradually unfolds, layering melody and rhythm until reaching a measured, emotionally resonant climax. Rather than relying on sheer intensity, the song emphasizes space, texture, and feeling, providing a reflective and satisfying finale that leaves the album’s journey lingering in the listener’s mind.

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With "A Reign to Conquer", HELA reaffirm their place in the melodic doom metal scene, blending crushing riffs, cinematic melodies, and emotional depth with precision and flair. The album demonstrates the band’s ability to balance heaviness with beauty, atmosphere with technical skill, and tradition with subtle experimentation. While there is still room to refine certain dynamic shifts and explore even bolder arrangements, HELA prove themselves to be a confident, visionary act with a clear identity and a compelling voice in modern doom.

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SCORE 9/10

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REVIEWED BY SWAMPY