photo by Morten Lundrup
Copenhagen-based progressive doom metal combo ALKYMIST released their second album, Sanctuary, through Indisciplinarian on May 1st amidst pandemic chaos, and lockdowns, nationally and abroad. The band’s release shows were cancelled, but nonetheless, Sanctuary has received massive attention. The record achieved a #3 in the Official Danish vinyl charts in the week of release and press has been appreciative of the band and the album’s unique presence. Hopefully, ALKYMIST will be able to resume their live activity with the planned Fall/ and Winter shows to which the band can now add four shows across Denmark, while also planning shows abroad for 2021.
Until then, the band plans to release different pieces of visual material, beginning with a new seven-minute studio video from the recordings of Sanctuary. The clip was filmed and edited by Martin Goltermann and provides a unique insight into the band’s musical process while recording the new album at Ballade Studios, Copenhagen.
See ALKYMIST’s studio video at THIS LOCATION.
Sanctuary is available through Indisciplinarian on vinyl, cassette, and digital formats at the label webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE.
Just a year-and-a-half after their acclaimed eponymous debut album, Danish progressive doomers ALKYMIST set out once more on a trip that takes you far beyond this world and into their strange and crushingly heavy realm of brutal, yet beautiful and grandiose soundscapes. On Sanctuary, ALKYMIST offers the listener an immersive, spiritual, and transcendent journey. The record revolves around metaphysical questioning, soul searching, mental and cerebral escape, and ultimately, the quest to achieve redemption of spirit and flesh.
Sanctuary‘s six tracks create two sound collages totaling forty-three minutes, the album fully living-up to the band’s eclectic vision. As on the first record, Sanctuary was recorded and mixed by producer Lasse Ballade (Orm, Slægt, Solbrud) and the artwork created by Anders Kidmose.
“…less than two years since their staggering debut, the band will soon unveil their massive sophomore album.” – Decibel Magazine
“Sanctuary feels strikingly fresh right from the get-go.5/5” – Captured Howls
“Sanctuary is on all fronts a strong continuation of what began to take shape on the debut. 5/5” – Devilution
“…convinces through its nature and its power on all fronts.” – Legacy Magazin
“Sanctuary is very good, relaxing, often disturbing, fiercely original music, despite obvious influences and few shortcomings. I recommend it to those who seek a different approach to doom and sludge as well as fans of highly emotional metal.” – Eternal Terror
“As the title implies, Sanctuary is a search for internal respite, a caustic scouring of the mind for solace and meaning that could be considered characteristic for ALKYMIST at this point.” – Grizzly Butts
ALKYMIST Live:
9/05/2020 Spot Metal / Train – Aarhus, DK
9/12/2020 Slagelse – Badeanstalten, DK
10/02/2020 Roskilde – Gimle, DK
11/07/2020 Aalborg Metal Festival – Aalborg, DK
12/04/2020 HeadQuarters – Aarhus, DK
12/05/2020 Bhaal Fest IV – Odense, DK
12/17/2020 Alice – Copenhagen, DK
https://alkymist.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/alkymist
https://www.instagram.com/handofthealkymist
http://www.indisciplinarian.com
http://www.facebook.com/indisciplinarian
https://indisciplinarian.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/indisciplinarian_/