Alarum

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Alarum
OriginMelbourne VIC
GenresDeath metal, progressive metal
Years active1992 - present
LabelsMetal Warriors, Willowtip
Associated actsDreadnaught, Tribal Clown, Lanstrum, The Levitation Hex, The Berzerker, Darkest Dawn
Websitehttp://www.alarum.com.au
MembersRob Brens, Mark Palfreyman, Ryan Williams
Past membersMark Evans, Luke Morris, Lester Perry, Matt Racovalis, Scott Young

Band members

  • Current Line-up
    • Mark Palfreyman (vocals, bass)
    • Rob Brens (drums)
    • Ryan Williams (guitar)
  • Former members
    • Mark Evans (guitar) 1992 - 2011
    • Scott Young (guitar) 1997 - 2007
    • Matt Racovalis (drums) 1992 - 2006
    • Luke Morris (vocals) 1994
    • Lester Perry (bass) 1994


Band information

Alarum at Metal for the Brain 2006

In existence in some form since at least 1992, Alarum plays a form of progressive metal in the vein of Cynic and Atheist, incorporating jazz jams into a technical death metal base. After an appearance on an early Def Records compilation, the group's line-up consolidated with guitarists Mark Evans and Scott Young plus bassist and vocalist Mark Palfreyman and drummer Matt Racovalis. Their first album Fluid Motion emerged in 1999 and later in the year they opened at Metal for the Brain.

The next year Alarum was added to the line-up again as replacement for Sadistik Exekution. Racovalis and Palfreyman then featured as part of The Berzerker's live line-up that toured North America in 2001.

Alarum then began working on the follow-up to the debut, issuing a promo CD featuring three forthcoming tracks in mid-2002. It was to be another two years, however, before the album, intriguingly entitled Eventuality..., appeared, immediately scoring high praise for its sophisticated amalgamation of melody, metal and jazz. The album tied with Dungeon's One Step Beyond for Australian Album of the Year on the Triple J radio show Full Metal Racket; at the Australian Heavy Metal Music Awards in February 2005, Alarum won awards for Best Bass Player, Best Drummer, Best Band and Best Album.

In April 2006, Alarum travelled to North America for an extensive tour with Neuraxis, Arsis and Cattle Decapitation. On their return to Australia, drummer Matt Racovalis announced he was leaving the band. Young also became a member of Darkest Dawn around the same time. Nevertheless, Alarum completed a tour with Dark Tranquillity and played at the 2006 Metal for the Brain. This was Racovalis' last show with Alarum and he was replaced by former Tribal Clown drummer Rob Brens. The band supported Obituary in mid-2007 and Scott Young then also left. Alarum continues as a three piece and is currently recording their next album, Natural Causes, set for release in 2011.

Matt Racovalis joined Dreadnaught in 2008.

Discography

Albums:

Alarumcvr.jpg
1999 Fluid Motion Metal Warriors
Alarum.jpg
2004 Eventuality... Willowtip

Compilation tracks:

Year Track Title Album Title Label
1995 "Silence" Death Down Under Def
1999 "Taking Place" Halloween Metalfest 99 Metal Warriors
2000 "Realization" Full Metal Racket EMI/ABC
2005 "Velocity" Underearthed 3 Independent
MFTBMMVCD.jpg
2005 "Woven Imbalance" Metal for the Brain 2005 Faultline/Gorilla