Alchemist - Eve of the War Shock
Sulphur

'Another musical marvel'
Another brilliant release from the Australian Psychedelic Metal masters, being an MCD tribute to Jeff Wayne's 1978 musical 'War of the Worlds, and the hundredth anniversary of the book by H.G. Wells. Also another Alchemist album that saw almost no distribution or promotion, even though it made no.7 on the Independent Release Charts.This 38 minute MCD is divided up into the one tribute / cover song, 2 live tracks, one mediocre remix, and 2 tracks off 'Jar of Kingdom', all this was released for half the price of a normal release! Now go that for bloody value!Eve of the War starts with the classical compositions of the original and keeps the overall feel throughout the song, the additions being the weird space synths Alchemist used on 'Organasm' and their very original guitar work. No vocals are present, but instead some sort of phased chants, and of course Rodney's precise tribal drum work is ever present. This song is really very virus like, you'll easily listen to it 4 or 5 times when you put the CD on, its just that damn good, and its actually had some airplay as well.Next come the tracks that every overseas Alchemist fan must hear, and I know there are tons of you guys out there. Alchemist live with the Canberra crowds (Gypsy Bar 1998) basically going berserk. Yoni Kunda (off Lunasphere) is a killer eastern feel track, reminding me somehow of a mixture between modern turkish belly dancing music (the main riffs!!) and some ancient Babylonian ceremonies. This mixed with the tribal drum work, the deep rumbling guitars and some insane vocals is a potent force. This is an excellent track for an Alchemist fan, and live you see a whole sea of people move in these slow snaking patterns. Alchemist use another interesting aspect to their all ready highly original musical style, something called the 'electric sitar', which is basically some sort of metal rod or other instrument which gives the guitar work a further reverb and along to the chunky bass this is as potent as gypsy music, you just have to move to it. Next comes Chinese Whispers (off Spiritech) which is another brilliant song, it goes for about 9 minutes and moves through hundreds of patterns and melodic changes within the one song. The scope and overall effect of this song (as all other Alchemist also) is just amazing, this is one of the most creative bands on the planet! The only downside are some weak sounding vocals from Adam during the high pitched sections, but then I guess its not his style, the ones on the album absolutely kill!
'Hordes of Inconsistencies and Fiction,
swarm the paths of your thoughts,
your interpretation of my actions,
convenient to your cause
I'll say again another way!'
After these powerful lines the song then moves into some bizarre Babylonian experimental session, with some of the most beautiful guitar work I've ever heard, this section is almost emotional at times, very amazing. Next comes a mediocre techno remix of Yoni Kunda, and then 2 tracks off 'Jar of Kingdom', being more death metal in their approach. Overall this is an excellent release for an introduction to the band, and most importantly for an overseas fans. That this didn't have proper distribution is beyond sad, lets hope their other releases make it your way! Infinite hails to this great band.

Sulphur