Alchemist - Organasm Relapse
John Chedsey SMNT

Alchemist has toiled for quite some time in Australia to very little notice but with any luck, a newly signed deal with Relapse will help their global visibility greatly. And having spent some serious time consuming and getting my head around their 2000 release Organasm, now reissued by Relapse for more widespread attention, I can safely say Relapse has uncovered an amazing gem of a band here. The band's cumulative effect, which is in turn parts Neurosis, psychedelica, death and doom metal as well as hints of Prong and Killing Joke, is one of an entirely fluid, complete album that absolutely captivates any listener. Whether you want to call it intelligent death metal or progressive doom or any other descriptive genre tag is your choice. Regardless of the many pigeon holes it wavers around, Organasm is a fine record. The most notable thing for Alchemist is their ability to completely construct a song, using impressive leads swirling around heavy riff progressions. Keyboards are used to quietly enhance the main and countermelodies. Vocalist/guitarist Adam Agius has a voice that runs in parallel to the likes of Therion's Christofer Johnsson in that it is not necessarily a thing of beauty, but the hoarse roar acts in harmony with the music. At times he comes across as a mix of Neurosis vocals mixed with Jaz Coleman's unusual bellow. There are other moments of Neurosis-like atmosphere, finely contained bombastic beauty and defined chaos. Other times find the band resembling a warmer, fuzzier latter-day Prong. From beginning to end, regardless of hints of other bands, Alchemist indeed turns ordinary plastic CDs into pure gold. There is nary a fault on this album as it is a seamless release that hopefully will allow the band to find a larger, appreciative worldwide audience. For you, no matter what area of heavy music you follow, there is no excuse for not finding out more about this fine band.

John Chedsey
SMNT