Alchemist - Organasm Relapse
Shawn Pelata www.digitalmetal.com

Some bands strive to make good metal, while some strive to make great music. Alchemist is an example of the latter. Oh, their music is metal all right. There are plenty of distorted, heavy guitars and strained vocals, but there is also a large helping of musical depth to go along with it. They seem to be taking a cue from labelmates Amorphis and Neurosis by building extensions and forays onto a foundation of metal. The guitars are heavy, the arrangements are thoughtful and progressive and the melodies are earnest and flowing. Vocalist Adam Agius has a diverse repertoire of styles ranging from somber and melodic, to authoritative and forceful, to a down right blood curdling shriek! The music, as adventurous and non-derivative as it is, is actually quite dark. "Single Sided" has an Egyptian-type melody run behind the verses. The guitar tones carrying that melody are airy and rich. Kudos to Agius and Roy Torkington for excellent tones and expressive riffing. The loop on the intro to "Eclectic" is accompanied by a single-note guitar theme melody and a good mid-tempo beat. The track is an energetic, dynamic instrumental that is sort of a melting pot of influences, hence the title. Opening cut "Astral Spectrum" has cool effects on the intro accented by a heavy, plodding riff. The keyboard melody in the background adds a lot of depth to the piece. The open verse section leaves plenty of room for the swirling guitar effects and vocals. The clean guitars on the bridge are also nice and eerie. "New Beginning" is another stand out cut on the record. It's got a good, driving mid-tempo with sparse verses and heavy chorus. The vocal effects on the verses are really spooky. Drummer Rodney Holder and bassist John Bray sound good and tight on the syncopated breakdown in the middle. Is this a metal record? Oh yes. Is it typical? Oh, no. Not quite as "out there" as the bands I compared them to earlier, but definitely forging their own path. All in all, Alchemist has delivered a record that is as forward thinking as it is heavy. If you're into bands that take chances and remain true to themselves above all, go pick up Organasm. You can thank me later.

Shawn Pelata
www.digitalmetal.com