Alarum
Alarum | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Melbourne VIC |
| Genres | Death metal, progressive metal |
| Years active | 1992 - present |
| Labels | Metal Warriors, Willowtip |
| Associated acts | Dreadnaught, Hadal Maw, Tribal Clown, Lanstrum, The Levitation Hex, The Berzerker, Darkest Dawn, Deadspawn, Infernal Method, Neophobia, Killrazer |
| Website | http://www.alarum.com.au |
| Members | Grahame Goode, Mark Palfreyman, John Sanders, Ryan Williams |
| Past members | Mark Evans, Luke Morris, Lester Perry, Matt Racovalis, Scott Young, Rob Brens |
Band members
- Current Line-up
- Grahame Goode (drums)
- Mark Palfreyman (vocals, bass)
- John Sanders (guitar)
- Ryan Williams (guitar)
- Former members
- Rob Brens (drums) 2006 - 2015
- 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
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. He then went on to join Dreadnaught. Alarum supported Obituary in mid-2007 and Scott Young then also left. He was replaced for live performances by Ryan Williams. Alarum continued as a three piece and completed their next album, Natural Causes, released in 2011, after which Evans departed and Williams became a full-time member. A European tour with The Levitation Hex (also featuring Palfreyman and Scott) occurred in October 2012, with John Sanders (ex-Flatstick) on second guitar. In 2015, with Rob Brens committed to Hadal Maw, journeyman drummer Grahame Goode joined Alarum in October.
Discography
Albums:
| 1999 | Fluid Motion | Metal Warriors | |
| 2004 | Eventuality... | Willowtip | |
| 2011 | Natural Causes | 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 | |
| 2005 | "Woven Imbalance" | Metal for the Brain 2005 | Faultline/Gorilla |
