Alchemist - Austral Alien

Despite being their fifth full-length, Austral Alien is my first experience of this unique Australian outfit. Alchemist's sound can be loosely classified as a mixture of Elegy-era Amorphis, with some of the aspects of Neurosis (particularly the harsh vocals), and an added industrial edge. The group also reminds me of some non-metal, like post-punk and indie rock, as well as the aforementioned industrial. The band has a compelling habit of pushing the dissonant elements of the guitar to create a unique direction, akin to what Sonic Youth was doing during their most revolutionary period (Daydream Nation, in particular). So, we have an interesting conglomeration of styles here, and everything is pulled off quite nicely.

Adam Agius is a fitting vocalist, jumping between harsher Steve Von Till-like vocals and futuristic sounding clean lines at the blink of an eye. "Great Southern Wasteland" is one of the stronger tracks, first swirling through molten atmospherics and tribal drumming, then reaching an interesting climax. "Solarburn" is even crazier, with an eerie atmosphere and dissonant riffs to carry it along. "Backward Journey" has an Egyptian feel, and swells into psychadelic jamming at one point. The second half of the album isn't as strong, though the final track "Letter to the Future" is a suitably chaotic closer. 

Austral Alien is a very strong album, simultaneously establishing a unique niche in metal for Alchemist, and giving the band material solid enough to be mentioned in the same breath as Amorphis' most adventurous releases.