Review on Austral Alien ALCHEMIST by Lamar Vanderburg

Whatever Alchemist cooks up, you know it's going to be high quality, unusual and unique. Ever since their first forays into the metal arena, this band has always blazed their own trail. No wonder "Austral Alien" will be something you've never heard before. In a way, this new album is an extension of the territory Alchemist explored with "Organasm", but with "Austral Alien" the band expands it much more, the lyrical inspiration drawn from nature and of the Australian countryside, and the musical direction goes deeper. further into the atmosphere. Unlike many other albums, however, Alchemist has a warm and rhythmic vibe in which the tones and textures of their arrangements intertwine to create a grounded and organic feel sometimes reminiscent of Devin Townsend's "Terria." At times, the songs lull the listener into an almost hypnotic state before the soaring guitar riff breaks the spell and the band's signature slide guitar and keyboard playing creates another otherworldly scenario. The mesmerizing feel of the album is further enhanced by the fairly clean and mid-range vocals. "Austral Alien" is another triumph for this great Aussie band who just can't be wrong.