Today, Danish progressive doom metal wizards Alkymist announce the release of their third studio album, “UnnDerr”, now confirmed for release through Indisciplinarian this November.
In 2018, Alkymist released their critically acclaimed, eponymous debut album, alongside performances across Denmark including at the Danish music industry’s Spot Festival and the following year at Roskilde Festival. Expectations were high and the heavy artillery had moved into position for the release of the sequel Sanctuary in the spring of 2020. But a well-known pandemic shut down all plans. Instead, Alkymist chose to spend energy on improving their recording possibilities in the rehearsal room in Copenhagen and proclaimed shortly after the release of “Sanctuary” that they were working on new material. That was almost four years ago. Much has happened since then, with the band contemplating and now back at full force.
On their debut album Alkymist’s focus was on finding their own expression. With “Sanctuary”, it was about further developing the sound and the special symbiosis in the music. And now on “UnnDerr”, Alkymist brings all the elements to a boil and explores what happens if the accelerator is stepped on a little further. Musically, the third album embraces musically more broadly and comes off as more direct with its distinct use of melody and groove, while the progressive and atmospheric elements are intact.
“UnnDerr” sees Alkymist fairing into new horizons, conveying a more direct expression while retaining their psychedelic and progressive trademarks. The album dives down into the ambiguity of what is above the surface and what lurks below… what is seen and what is hidden away but is still messing around in the subconscious. Nothing is normal in the band’s auspices… what happens if it’s all manipulated? Letters as symbols… what if you take the symbolism and look at the other side… does it start to mean something else? What kind of messages do you get and where does it lead you? With the music, Alkymist questions everything we believe, see and hear.
In a large soundproof basement in Copenhagen, Alkymist set up their own studio and worked nonstop for three years on the enigmatic “UnnDerr”, initially recording the album themselves, after which they trashed the recordings, switched drummers. The seven tracks on “UnnDerr” are the band’s first recordings to include new drummer Per Silkjær (Fossils, Brunsten, Double Space, Sons Of Cain). They then returned to Ballade Studios to record and mix the album with producer Lasse Ballade (Orm, Solbrud, Konvent, Night Fever) as on previous albums, Ballade also handling the mastering. “UnnDerr” is completed with artwork/design by Anders Kidmose.
The lead single, “Digging a Grave” arrives through a video by director Mikisoq H. Lynge. Watch the video below.
“UnnDerr” will be released on November 15th, 2024, on vinyl LP pressed in three limited editions – 300 on Black, 100 on Petrol Transparent, and 100 on Red Transparent – which are now available for preorder & pre-save here.
Tracklist:
1. The Scent
2. Digging a Grave
3. UnnDerr
4. Light of a Lost Star
5. My Sick Part
6. Fire in My Eyes
7. Masters of Disguise
Alkymist has also announced a release show for UnnDerr on November 29th at Loppen, Christiania in Copenhagen, with special guests and labelmates Offernat. Watch for additional live updates to post shortly.
Live Shows 2024:
11/29/2024 Loppen – Copenhagen
(LP release show w/ Offernat) [tickets]
Line-up:
Peter Bjørneg – Vocals
Stefan Krey – Guitars
Kaspar Luke – Bass
Per Silkjær – Drums
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/alkymist
www.instagram.com/handofthealkymist
