Abraxas
Alkhemia
From Bandcamp, “The band's inaugural album “Abraxas,” recorded at the renowned Nebiros Studio and mastered at Studio La Crypte by Clément Flandrois, that will be released in March 2023 on Malpermesita Records, echoes with the oppressive modernity. It intertwines the theory of the two wolves and George Orwell's '1984'. “Abraxas” addresses the contemporary vision of man and the most sinister industrialization.” The album has five songs.
“Homoprescence” is first. Eerie spoken words in the beginning talk about you being your own master. A fat and chunky sound enters from there with plenty of weight. The one thing that is familiar about the album is that traditional “two-step” of Black Metal where one note is struck followed by another half-step lower. “Toxikon” is hasty and smoky, even on fire at times. It burns so hot it leaves a trail behind it, scorching the earth, and the barren landscape that is left behind is black with the remnants of the fire. “Transhumanization” has a similar sound to the previous song, and although thick with hatred and anger, the band has to adjust a little to provide some diversity in their approach.
“Primaeval Pantheons” is a lengthy 11-minute opus, giving plenty of time for development. The pace is slow at first, with dissonant and hopeless sounds, and the vocals are vile utterances of pure evil. Clean tones roll in after the halfway mark, carrying more despondence with them, but the main sound returns again. “Reminiscence Quintessence” closes the album. It is rich with regret, anger, and hate. Somehow, I also get the sense that the world is ending, as a fireball from space is headed to extinguish all life. Overall, this was a solid album. Through five songs, the listener is berated with emotions such as rage, hopelessness, and a general disdain for life. For me, the dark wolf wins in this battle.
7 / 10
Good
Songwriting
Musicianship
Memorability
Production
"Abraxas" Track-listing:
1. Homoprescence
2. Toxikon
3. Transhumanization
4. Primaeval Pantheons
5. Reminiscence Quintessence
Alkhemia Lineup:
Alex Josien – Drums
Maxime "LePrince" Beiler – Guitars
James Spar – Vocals
A.S.A – Bass
Marbas – Guitars
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