ORGANASM

"Organasm" is the 4th full-length studio album by Australian extreme metal act Alchemist. The album was released through Chatterbox (Australia), Displeased Records (Europe) and Relapse Records (U.S.) in March 2000. "Spiritech (1997)" helped gain Alchemist a name internationally and with "Organasm" that name was further strengthened even though it would be a couple of years before they would tour outside Australia. The years between "Spiritech (1997)" and "Organasm" were not only spend on writing new material and touring, but also to organize the yearly Metal for the Brain festival. An event Alchemist ran and organised (and played) from 1996 to 2006. They also released the "Eve of the War" EP in 1998.

"Spiritech (1997)" was quite the ambitious and eclectic release and "Organasm" continues down the same path. The tracks are not as long as some of the tracks on the predecessor, but this time around Alchemist have included a triology suite in "Evolution Trilogy, Part 1, 2 and 3". Stylistically the music on the album is a combination of industrial rock/metal, death/thrash metal with progressive/ethnic leanings. I usually describe Alchemist´s sound as Killing Joke gone metal, which really isn´t a fair description, but should still give the reader a general idea of how the music sounds. Alchemist excel in both heavy riffing and atmospheric sections, and overall their music is a very dynamic and varied listen.

The sound production on "Organasm" is slightly less organic than the case was on the predecessor and it has much to do with the drum sound on the album, which unfortunately features a rather artificial clean sound. I say unfortunately because I think it has an effect on how much I enjoy the album. The playing (including the drumming) is as usual on a high level, so nothing wrong in that department and the songwriting is top notch too but the drum sound does distract my listening experience.

Even though I have my reservations "Organasm" is still a high quality release by Alchemist and even though I´d probably recommend the two albums that bookend this one, "Organasm" should not be missing from your collection if you´re a fan of the band. A 3.5 - 4 star (75%) rating is deserved.

(Originally posted on Metal Music Archives)