Alkymist - UnnDerr

Alkymist is a progressive doom/sludge metal band from Denmark, who formed in 2016. Their latest release, “UnnDerr,” is their third full-length album; they have also released an EP.

This is my first time hearing the band’s music but this album is immensely impressive.  The guitar tone is PERFECT.  The riffs, of which there are many, have the density of doom and the caustic edge of sludge. Guitarist Stefan Key and bassist Kaspar Luke are string wizards, casting fiery rhythms out like the dirtiest, filthiest arsenal in the world—truly bludgeoning work.  Apparently, they have a new drummer named Per Silkjaer; they better keep him because the dude is a goddamn animal.  It’s all spearheaded by the volatile vocals of Peter Bjørneg who fights and claws his way through the songs with abrasive vocals that are a cross between “I shoved sandpaper down my throat” and “wounded rabid animal that is super pissed off.”

But it isn’t only all about the guitar and bass tones.  The atmosphere is just as crushing, as if the law of gravity were removed and it’s impossible to get up under the now suffocating weight of existence. However, it doesn’t stop there—this album has too many dynamics and dimensions for it to end so simple. A psychedelic/stoner vibe also exists among the flowing magma of the band’s core sound and I even hear some Gothic influences.  

The progressive side of the band handles all of this very well—I mean, that’s what makes it progressive in the first place.  This isn’t Dream Theater or Tool—the prog elements manifest themselves as the very dynamics and varieties of sound that keep the album so powerful.

“The Scent,” is a prime example of what the album is all about.  During the first minute, it includes so many elements that it feels familiar yet a feeling of being unsure of what direction the song will go.  Regardless, the band knows when to anchor down with a hook—the chorus is magnificent.  But like I said..it isn’t all about the riffs; just listen to the guitar solo and tell me Key isn’t just as good with that angle. 

The album handles longer compositions with ease too.  The title track is a ten minute romper that melds doom and prog without being either too meandering or flashy.  Every minute is used to its advantage—it isn’t long for the sake of it.  The first minute or so is the buildup, consisting of clean, atmospheric tones that echoes the psychedelic influences I talked about earlier.  The keys provide some ambient spaces, the band existing in both the physical and ethereal realms as the song explores liminal spaces. Afterwards, the song speeds up a little to get out ahead of itself.  The rhythm remains steady, zeroed in on providing an encompassing experience, which it does.  The band handles both the light and heavy moments of their sound with wisdom, knowing exactly when each style needs to be presented.  

On the opposite end of the spectrum, songs like “My Sick Part,” and “Fire In My Eyes,” are shorter numbers, allowing the band to really zero in on the more aggressive parts of their style.  The former is catchy as hell and the more straightforward approach is appreciated as it allows for a break between the longer songs.   The latter takes a similar path but is a bit more atmospheric, especially with the mid section and its subtle clean tones and build up.

There is a lot to like in this album; fans of doom or sludge are going to dive in head first, come up for air, and go right back down.  But there are enough details and depths within the 44 minute runtime for fans unfamiliar with the style to find it growing on them as they discover it’s myriad propositions for coming along for the ride.