Difference between revisions of "Alchemist"

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{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Alchemist
| image          =
| alt            =
| caption        =
| image_size      =
| landscape      = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| background      = group_or_band
| alias          =
| origin          = Canberra, ACT
| genre          = Progressive death metal
| years_active    = 1987 - 2010
| label          = Thrust, Chatterbox, Relapse
| associated_acts = *[[Exceed]]
*Mortuary
*Synapse
*[[The Levitation Hex]]
*[[Pilots of Baalbek]]
*[[Pod People]]
| website        =
| current_members =
| past_members    = *Adam Agius
*John Bray
*Scott Chivers
*Andrew Hall
*Rodney Holder
*Murray Neill
*Nick Paddon-Row
*James Preece
*Roy Torkington
*Nick Wall
}}
===Band members===
===Band members===


*Current line-up
*Final line-up
**Adam Agius (vocals, guitar, keyboards)
**Adam Agius (vocals, guitar, keyboards)
**Rodney Holder (drums)
**Rodney Holder (drums)
**John Bray (bass)
**John Bray (bass)
**Roy Torkington (guitar)
**Roy Torkington (guitar)
**Nick Wall (samples)


*Former members
*Former members
**Nick Wall (samples) 2003 - 2008
**Andrew Meredith (guitar) 1989 - 1992
**Andrew Meredith (guitar) 1989 - 1992
**James Preece (bass) 1989 - 1991
**James Preece (bass) 1989 - 1991
Line 15: Line 48:
**Murray Neill (vocal) 1987 - 1989
**Murray Neill (vocal) 1987 - 1989
**Nick Paddon-Row (drums) 1987
**Nick Paddon-Row (drums) 1987
===Website===
[http://www.alchemist.com.au alchemist.com.au]


===Formed===
===Formed===


Canberra, ACT, 1987
Canberra, ACT, 1986


===Band information===
===Band information===


Pinching ingredients for their musical potions from just about every form of contemporary rock music, over the course of almost two decades Canberra's Alchemist have established themselves as a singularly unique entity in Australian music circles. Alchemist’s music has at various times combined elements of death, black, progressive thrash, psychedelia, surf, electronica and even sprinklings of stoner grind to produce a style that is distinctly unclassifiable into a particular genre, an awe-inspiring display of inventiveness and brilliance which has continued to ensure popularity and progression. Endless touring and consistently diverse, interesting and essential album releases have all contributed to the band's success, not to mention international supports too numerous to mention.
Alchemist was formed by Adam Agius in Canberra in 1987. An early demo with a contemporary death metal sound was recorded by the first line-up that also featured Murray Neill (vocals), Scott Chivers (bass) and Nick Paddon-Row (drums). In 1989, Rodney Holder became the group's drummer and Agius was now vocalist and guitarist. Andrew Meredith (guitar) and bass player James Preece now completed the band. The second Alchemist demo in 1990 featured death metal with more experimental aspects.


The band was formed by Adam Agius in 1987 and after an early demo of primitive death metal with a line-up also including Murray Neill (vocals), Scott Chivers (bass) and Nick Paddon-Row (drums), the group slowly began to work into a more complete form with the addition of Holder, guitarist Andrew Meredith and bass player James Preece in 1989. It was this line-up that recorded Alchemist’s second demo in 1990, a recording that hinted at the eclectic sound the band would later develop. The next year Preece was replaced by Bray who joined the band from fellow Canberra metal act [[Exceed]]. Another demo was recorded and the band began to receive interest from overseas quarters, The Netherlands in particular. In early 1992, Meredith made way for former '''Mortuary''' and '''Synapse''' guitarist Torkington and the line-up has remained as such ever since.  
The next year Preece was replaced by John Bray who joined the band from fellow Canberra metal act [[Exceed]]. Another demo was recorded and the band began to receive interest from overseas quarters. In early 1992, Meredith made way for former '''Mortuary''' and '''Synapse''' guitarist Roy Torkington and the maintained the same personnel for most of the rest of their career.  


Austrian label Lethal released the album ''Jar of Kingdom'' in 1993. The music was wildly experimental and eclectic, rooted in death metal but encompassing Zappa-like jazz-style arrangements, '''Pink Floyd'''-inspired trippy sections, surf grind and psychedelia but the sound quality of the recording was lousy. The album was eventually re-worked in 1999 with some parts completely re-recorded, and the ’91 demo tracks were also added as a bonus.
Released by Austrian label Lethal in 1993, ''Jar of Kingdom'' was wildly experimental and eclectic with Zappa-like jazz-style arrangements, surf grind and psychedelia. The album went out of print very quickly and the label closed in 1996, but Alchemist issued a re-released version in 1999 to see off their contract with Shock Records. ''Jar of Kingdom Re-Release 99'' featured some overdubbing due to the poor quality of the original recording and also included the four songs from their 91 demo.


Through its metal offshoot label Thrust, Shock released ''Lunasphere'' in 1995 and its heightened production and further songwriting development resulted in more interest in Alchemist. The band began a rigourous touring schedule that has continued to the present. In 1996 Alchemist toured nationally with ambient noise act [[Deathless]] and appeared at the Sydney Big Day Out. That year too, '''Armoured Angel'''’s Joel Green handed over responsibility for the organising of [[Metal for the Brain]] to Holder. Alchemist is the only band to have played at every Metal for the Brain event since the festival began in 1991.
With the release of ''Lunasphere'' in 1995 through the Shock sub-label Thrust, the band began a rigourous touring schedule that continued to classify them until they split. In 1996 Alchemist toured nationally with [[Deathless]] and appeared at the Sydney Big Day Out. That year the band became the custodians of the annual [[Metal for the Brain]] Festival which they continued to play and organise until 2006.  


1997 saw the release of ''Spiritech'', the recording pinnacle of the band’s career to that point and an album that remains a firm favourite with fans to this day. ''Spiritech'' was the ultimate definition of the Alchemist musical style up to that time, bookended by two sprawling tracks, “Chinese Whispers” and “Fragments”, that epitomised the band’s ability to push musical boundaries. By this time, Alchemist was recognised as one of Australia’s most popular and important metal bands.  
1997 saw the release of ''Spiritech'', an album that remains a firm favourite with fans. By now Alchemist was recognised as one of Australia’s most popular and important metal bands. In 1999, Alchemist began to look for other label options. A tour with '''Entombed''' was then followed by a tour with '''Pitchshifter''' and the "Eve of the War" EP and the ’99 re-release of ''Jar of Kingdom'' completed their contractual obligations to Shock while they worked on a new album that was prefaced by a contribution to the double compilation CD ''Under the Southern Cross'' in mid-1999.


By 1999, Alchemist had outgrown its association with Shock Records and began to look for other label options. A tour with '''Entombed''' was then followed by a tour with '''Pitchshifter''' and the "Eve of the War" EP and the ’99 re-release of ''Jar of Kingdom'' completed their contractual obligations to Shock while they worked on a new album that was prefaced by a contribution to the double compilation CD ''Under the Southern Cross'' in mid-1999.
Chatterbox Records released ''Organasm'' in early 2000. The album release was followed by a huge national tour with [[Cryogenic]] and labelmates [[Psi Kore|Psi.Kore]] dubbed World War Three. The tour spanned three months and visited most centres on the east coast. ''Organasm'' was issued in the US by Relapse and in Europe by Dutch label Displeased.


Sydney label Chatterbox Records released ''Organasm'' in early 2000 to a rapturous response; the band’s music steering gently away from its death metal roots and becoming more organic and progressive in nature. The album release was followed by a huge national tour with [[Cryogenic]] and labelmates [[Psi Kore|Psi.Kore]] dubbed World War Three that spanned three months and most centres on the east coast. ''Organasm'' was issued in the US by Relapse and in Europe by Dutch label Displeased.
After Metal for the Brain 2000, Alchemist began work on their next album, finally emerging in May 2003 with ''Austral Alien''. Just before the album’s release, Alchemist played their first live shows in eighteen months as the major support for '''Opeth''''s first Australian tour. Late in 2003, the album was released worldwide on Relapse. Now well-respected internationally as an excellent and innovative band, late in 2004 they were one of the major attractions at the Power Prog Europe festival in the Netherlands in October, a show that was followed by an extensive tour supporting '''Cult of Luna''' and several headlining performances with '''Textures'''. After the release of ''Austral Alien'', sampler Nick Wall was added as a touring member.


After Metal for the Brain 2000, Alchemist shut themselves away to record their next album, finally emerging in May 2003 with ''Austral Alien'', a further definition of the previous release’s direction. Just before the album’s release, Alchemist played their first live shows in eighteen months on a sold-out national tour with '''Opeth'''. Several of ''Austral Alien''’s tracks received moderate airplay on the national youth radio network Triple J. Late in 2003, the album was released worldwide on Relapse. By now, Alchemist was well-respected internationally as an excellent and innovative band; late in 2004 they finally got to prove this in person when they were one of the major attractions at the Power Prog Europe festival in the Netherlands in October, a show that was followed by an extensive tour supporting '''Cult of Luna''' and several headlining performances with '''Textures'''. Since the release of ''Austral Alien'', Alchemist's live line-up has been enhanced by sampler Nick Wall.
''Embryonics'' is a double CD compilation featuring tracks from the first three albums and early demos. Alchemist began recording a new album in July 2006. '''Tripsis'' was issued in October 2007. The release was followed by a short European tour that included a headlining spot at the ProgPower festival. ''Tripsis'' was voted the #4 metal release of 2007 by ''Full Metal Racket'' listeners in December 2007.


''Embryonics'' is a double CD compilation featuring tracks from the first three albums and early demos. Alchemist began recording a new album in July 2006. Entitled ''Tripsis'', it was issued in October 2007. The release was followed by a short European tour that included a headlinging spot at the ProgPower festival. ''Tripsis'' was voted the #4 metal release of 2007 by ''Full Metal Racket'' listeners in December 2007.
In mid-2008 Alchemist toured Europe once more, appearing at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium in late June; Wall was dismissed from the band during the tour. On their return to Australia, Alchemist toured nationally with '''Meshuggah'''. Work on a new EP release was promised in January 2010 but in May they released a statement announcing an indefinite hiatus. No official notification of Alchemist's disbandment was ever made, but no further music or live appearances were ever made. Roy Torkington released some instrumental music under the name '''Tranquilistics''' and is a well-know graphic designer. Rodney Holder moved into education as a lecturer in music business and management business.


==Discography==
Adam Agius formed [[The Levitation Hex]] with Mark Palfreyman from [[Alarum]] and is also active in the stoner/psychedelic metal band [[Pilots of Baalbek]] with his partner Mel Walker of [[Pod People]].
 
===Discography===


'''Albums:'''
'''Albums:'''


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'''Compilation tracks:'''
{|
! width="200" height="200 |
! width="40"| Year
! width="220"| Track Title
! width="220"| Album Title
! width="70"| Label
|-
|
| 1992
| "Escapism"
| '''''Redrum'''''
| Roadrunner
|-
|
| 1994
| "Black Metal"
| '''''The Promoters of the Third World War: A Tribute to Venom'''''
| Tribute
|-
|
| 1996
| "Garden of Eroticism"
| '''''This is Twelve'''''
| ABC/EMI
|-
|
| 1999
| "Austral Spectrum"
| '''''Under the Southern Cross'''''
| Chatterbox
|-
|
| 2000
| "Escape From the Black Hole"
| '''''Full Metal Racket'''''
| ABC/EMI
|-
|
| 2000
| "Surreality"
| '''''Radio Rock Vol. 1'''''
| Columbia
|-
|
| 2000
| "Tide In, Mind Out"
| '''''Route 666, Volume 2'''''
| Shock
|-
|
| 2001
|"Warring Tribes"
| '''''Metal for the Brain 2001'''''
| Metal for the Brain/Chatterbox
|-
|
| 2005
|"Solar Burn"
| '''''Metal for the Brain 2005'''''
| Faultline/Gorilla
|-
| [[Image:Ablazeinthesouthernskies.jpg|thumb|150px]]
| 2007
|"Tongues and Knives"
| '''''A Blaze in the Southern Skies'''''
| Prime Cuts
|-
|}


[[Category:Band List]]
[[Category:Bands from Canberra]]
[[Category:Bands from Canberra]]
[[Category:Bands that played the Big Day Out]]
[[Category:Bands that played the Big Day Out]]
[[Category:Bands that played Metal for the Brain]]
[[Category:Bands that played Metal for the Brain]]
[[Category:Bands that played Overcranked]]
[[Category:Band List]]

Latest revision as of 08:32, 9 January 2023

Alchemist
OriginCanberra, ACT
GenresProgressive death metal
Years active1987 - 2010
LabelsThrust, Chatterbox, Relapse
Associated acts
Past members
  • Adam Agius
  • John Bray
  • Scott Chivers
  • Andrew Hall
  • Rodney Holder
  • Murray Neill
  • Nick Paddon-Row
  • James Preece
  • Roy Torkington
  • Nick Wall

Band members

  • Final line-up
    • Adam Agius (vocals, guitar, keyboards)
    • Rodney Holder (drums)
    • John Bray (bass)
    • Roy Torkington (guitar)
  • Former members
    • Nick Wall (samples) 2003 - 2008
    • Andrew Meredith (guitar) 1989 - 1992
    • James Preece (bass) 1989 - 1991
    • Andrew Hall (drums) 1987 - 1989
    • Scott Chivers (bass) 1987 - 1989
    • Murray Neill (vocal) 1987 - 1989
    • Nick Paddon-Row (drums) 1987

Formed

Canberra, ACT, 1986

Band information

Alchemist was formed by Adam Agius in Canberra in 1987. An early demo with a contemporary death metal sound was recorded by the first line-up that also featured Murray Neill (vocals), Scott Chivers (bass) and Nick Paddon-Row (drums). In 1989, Rodney Holder became the group's drummer and Agius was now vocalist and guitarist. Andrew Meredith (guitar) and bass player James Preece now completed the band. The second Alchemist demo in 1990 featured death metal with more experimental aspects.

The next year Preece was replaced by John Bray who joined the band from fellow Canberra metal act Exceed. Another demo was recorded and the band began to receive interest from overseas quarters. In early 1992, Meredith made way for former Mortuary and Synapse guitarist Roy Torkington and the maintained the same personnel for most of the rest of their career.

Released by Austrian label Lethal in 1993, Jar of Kingdom was wildly experimental and eclectic with Zappa-like jazz-style arrangements, surf grind and psychedelia. The album went out of print very quickly and the label closed in 1996, but Alchemist issued a re-released version in 1999 to see off their contract with Shock Records. Jar of Kingdom Re-Release 99 featured some overdubbing due to the poor quality of the original recording and also included the four songs from their 91 demo.

With the release of Lunasphere in 1995 through the Shock sub-label Thrust, the band began a rigourous touring schedule that continued to classify them until they split. In 1996 Alchemist toured nationally with Deathless and appeared at the Sydney Big Day Out. That year the band became the custodians of the annual Metal for the Brain Festival which they continued to play and organise until 2006.

1997 saw the release of Spiritech, an album that remains a firm favourite with fans. By now Alchemist was recognised as one of Australia’s most popular and important metal bands. In 1999, Alchemist began to look for other label options. A tour with Entombed was then followed by a tour with Pitchshifter and the "Eve of the War" EP and the ’99 re-release of Jar of Kingdom completed their contractual obligations to Shock while they worked on a new album that was prefaced by a contribution to the double compilation CD Under the Southern Cross in mid-1999.

Chatterbox Records released Organasm in early 2000. The album release was followed by a huge national tour with Cryogenic and labelmates Psi.Kore dubbed World War Three. The tour spanned three months and visited most centres on the east coast. Organasm was issued in the US by Relapse and in Europe by Dutch label Displeased.

After Metal for the Brain 2000, Alchemist began work on their next album, finally emerging in May 2003 with Austral Alien. Just before the album’s release, Alchemist played their first live shows in eighteen months as the major support for Opeth's first Australian tour. Late in 2003, the album was released worldwide on Relapse. Now well-respected internationally as an excellent and innovative band, late in 2004 they were one of the major attractions at the Power Prog Europe festival in the Netherlands in October, a show that was followed by an extensive tour supporting Cult of Luna and several headlining performances with Textures. After the release of Austral Alien, sampler Nick Wall was added as a touring member.

Embryonics is a double CD compilation featuring tracks from the first three albums and early demos. Alchemist began recording a new album in July 2006. 'Tripsis was issued in October 2007. The release was followed by a short European tour that included a headlining spot at the ProgPower festival. Tripsis was voted the #4 metal release of 2007 by Full Metal Racket listeners in December 2007.

In mid-2008 Alchemist toured Europe once more, appearing at the Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium in late June; Wall was dismissed from the band during the tour. On their return to Australia, Alchemist toured nationally with Meshuggah. Work on a new EP release was promised in January 2010 but in May they released a statement announcing an indefinite hiatus. No official notification of Alchemist's disbandment was ever made, but no further music or live appearances were ever made. Roy Torkington released some instrumental music under the name Tranquilistics and is a well-know graphic designer. Rodney Holder moved into education as a lecturer in music business and management business.

Adam Agius formed The Levitation Hex with Mark Palfreyman from Alarum and is also active in the stoner/psychedelic metal band Pilots of Baalbek with his partner Mel Walker of Pod People.

Discography

Albums:

Jar.gif
1993 Jar of Kingdom Lethal
Luna.jpg
1995 Lunasphere Thrust
Spiri.jpg
1997 Spiritech Thrust
Jar.jpg
1999 Jar of Kingdom Re-Release 99 Thrust
Organasm.jpg
2000 Organasm Chatterbox
Australalien.jpg
2003 Austral Alien Chatterbox
Embryonics.jpg
2005 Embryonics Chatterbox
Tripsis.jpg
2007 Tripsis Chatterbox

EPs:

Lileve.jpg
1998 Eve of the War Thrust
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