Heresy
Chapel Factory (2020)

Heresy's opening captures that effervescent quality of frankincense as it is burning. It is a cold smoke, pepper, lemon and pine needle sharp, but no sooner than that does its cool feel collide with a waxy wood and a metallic violet. This continued sparkle softens into a dry cedar. It starts off sonorous, and within an hour or two, is a persistent, haunting whisper. This is one where my nose runs the surface of my skin savoring its elusive charm.

It reminds me of when I paid a visit to Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac in Quebec, Canada. I attended a service there, and there was such an austere beauty to it, filling me with the beauty of ritual, custom, and devotion. It was a place of silence, peace, and prayer. I do see the irony in its name, but perhaps the heresy represents the wearer. To wear such a scent in the presence of others who can't grasp the subtle would be its own schism of sorts.

I'm a big fan if incense heavy fragrances. A leftover scent memory of childhood.
There's plenty of sweet smoke in Heresy and lots of beguiling woody notes.
It's got a bit of citrusy sparkle in the opening which speaks to me of frankincense,
although that magical element is not mentioned in the composition's description.

Not really one for a first date but I love it.

(I think Diamanda Galas might too!)

Heresy exudes an earthy burnt incense smoke aroma of incense from sandalwood and guaiac wood. This is not the smell of incense itself and not of the smoke, but is a damp woods smell long after the fire has been put out - wet wood smoke in the air. Notes of violet, vetiver and patchouli add a clean but cooling masculine interior to the smokey incense air around this scent. At first sniff it reminded me of Anatole Lebreton's Grimoire however this is its own beast with more dry smoke and darkness. I like this fragrance, but its unique quality definitely suggest a careful test it before you buy approach. The darkness may be more than some will want in a fragrance, but I think there is an air of enchantment and a haunting natural but dark quality here. Heresy, might be but I like it. Rated: 3.5 / 5 stars.