Austral Alien

Alchemist | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 17, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Relapse
• ASIN: B000093D0F
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,757 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Trailblazing psychedelic-metal Champs!, July 9, 2003

By 

"sintaur" (Onoda shi, Yamaguchi ken Japan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Austral Alien (Audio CD)

Alchemist are back with another fine collection of metallic, melodic, and passionate songs. Since their thrash metal beginnings, through their blast-beat, death metal days, Alchemist keep changing with their listeners. The new album doesn't grab you straight away - it's definitely not a casual listen - but, like all good albums, takes a while to sink in. Musically, there's plenty going on here: metal guitars, keyboard backup for texture, harsh vocals (but not the "Kam Lee" wipeouts of the past!), and thoughtful lyrics about the environment, particularly in regards to Australia. The last is a really impressive development - it's great to see this band commenting on Australia etc, and making such adult, "real" music. Definitely a CD for those with open minds and a love of metal - the two aren't necessarily contradictory! Just wish I could get a hold of "Spiritech" - their back catalogue is shamefully hard to get!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and brilliant, January 24, 2005

By 

Brian Fischer-Giffin "Professional Metalhead" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Austral Alien (Audio CD)

Whatever Alchemist serves up, you know it's going to be quality, different and unique. Since their first forays into the metal arena, this has always been a band to tread its own path. Unsurprisingly then, 'Austral Alien' is going to be something you've not quite heard before. In some ways this new album is an extension of the territory Alchemist was exploring with 'Organasm', but on 'Austral Alien' the band expands on it much more, with lyrical inspiration drawn from nature and the Australian landscape and a musical direction that delves further into the realms of ambience. Unlike many others, however, Alchemist's ambience is a warm and rhythmic one, where the sounds and textures of their arrangements weave together to give an earthy and organic feel that is occasionally similar to that of Devin Townsend's 'Terria'. At times the songs lull the listener into a near-hypnotic state before a surging guitar riff breaks the spell and the band's trademark interplay of slide guitars and keys sets up another otherworldly scenario. The mesmeric feel of the album is further enhanced by the appropriately clean and mid-range vocal delivery throughout. 'Austral Alien' is another triumph for this great Australian band who can simply do no wrong.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars - mind-bending progressive metal from another planet, December 30, 2011

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Austral Alien (Audio CD)

2003's Austral Alien is the fifth full-length album from Australian band Alchemist, one of the most innovative and truly progressive bands on the extreme side of metal. Alchemist has always been a forward-thinking band, merging the technicality of progressive metal with elements of thrash and death metal and a hefty dose of psychedelia, and Austral Alien is a great example of their unique sound.

It's hard to adequately describe the sound on Austral Alien. It's less ethnically influenced than Alchemist's previous (and best) album Organasm, and perhaps a bit more aggressive. There's a intensity in the vocals and drumming that's almost scary, but set against the intricate guitar work and heady atmospheric elements it all seems to come together perfectly. Austral Alien is almost hypnotic even at its heaviest. It's like progressive metal made by space aliens, and while it may be hard to wrap your mind around it, it's very easy to get lost in.

Austral Alien isn't an instantly accessible album. It's overwhelming at first, but after a few spins (preferably with a good set of headphones), you start to really experience all that Alchemist has achieved with this album. It's a true marvel of progressive music, and one that just about any open-minded metal fan should hear. Fans of bands like Opeth, Neurosis, Voivod, Cynic and Leprous in particular should get quite a lot out of this one.