Year: 2021
Total Time: 51:10
Label: Metal Blade
Anyone who claims that the old, classic, orthodox Doom is dead obviously has not yet encountered DREAD SOVEREIGN. Fortunately, here is his chance to do so through the experience of listening to the new third full length of this Irish three-member band and while the first introductory notes begin, the first Jameson begins to roll… Admittedly the “puller” in this case, is the extraordinary Mr. Allan Averill a.k.a A.A.Nemtheanga, the singer of the “children of the people” and veterans PRIMORDIAL with his characteristic creepy, soulcrushing and at the same time dynamic vocals. From a dramatical persona like Nemtehengea we did not expect anything less than heroic, psychopathic and with a blackened mood thoroughbred Doom/Heavy Metal in “Alchemical Warfare”.
The raw, rough and staccato sound of the guitar dominates throughout the album by having a leading role, while the whole album functions as an entity like a well-crafted story of a novel or a suspenseful adventure film set in the darkness of the Middle Ages and in the middle of religious warfare between Christians and Paganists. Moreover, judging by the cover and the titles of the songs, the lyrical theme deals with philosophical issues mainly about human passions, the eternal struggle between good and evil but also the fear of anything different or “Satanic” which results in violence and hostilities, as the title of the album so aptly states. Here in this story, the songs take on the role of chapters and there is a balanced connection between them through the alternation of the pulse from fast to slow like a pendular cardiogram moving up and down. Also, the very essential solos, where one meets both the Rock and the Black Metal influences of the band, facilitate the transition of the album with their increasing smoothness.
All the tracks on the album are good and the more you listen to them, the more you discover new elements that you may not have spotted from the first moment, with the highlights being of course the two video clip singles. Initially, “The Great Beast We Serve”, which demolishes everything in its path with its galloping MANOWAR riff while the loud vocals of Nemthengea proudly invade, leaving no choice but to remain stunned and mutter/admit within yourself: “this is how today’s metal should sound…”. Especially from the sing along “concert” point with “ooo” the song is transformed into a hymn of notes with the torrential lyricism of the guitar solos raising the appeal of the song quite high. Next, the more revolutionary aura of the “Nature is the Devil’s Church” mesmerises with its intensity, while the vocals and the chorus absorb you and transport you to another mythical dimension with their passion and artistic intelligence. Especially, this rhythmic and pompous, as a parade step, opening riff is so addictive that it cannot be removed even with brain surgery. The production also plays a decisive role in this, where all the instruments sound intense and well balanced as if the band is next to you performing live! I think the whole mentality of the band is represented in this piece.
Of course, as in their previous albums there is no lack of longer and more introverted ten-minute compositions, such as the slow-moving rhapsodies “She Wolves of the Savage Season” and “Ruin Upon the Temple Mount”, which like sepulchral hymns create a dark and at the same time “devilish” – full of theatricality – Doom atmosphere. Finally, as self-respecting “old schoolers” and in order to honour the tradition, DREAD SOVEREIGN serve us for epilogue the tremendous cover of “You Don’t Move Me (I Don’t Give a Fuck)” by BATHORY. Although their performance is amazing, it sounds a bit foreign to the whole style of the album but due to the “bad ass attitude” of the band it is highly justified.
An album better than the previous works of the band, which requires more and patient listenings in order to fully understand and enjoy it. “Alchemical Warfare” praises the old classic Doom Metal of great teachers such as THE OBSESSED, SAINT VITUS and TROUBLE. The album functions as a redemptive experience and is unreservedly recommended not only to die hard fans of PRIMORDIAL, but also to those who like more genuine metal versions with meaningful substance.
Rating: 7,5/10
Editor: Nikos Mathiopoulos
Related Link: DREAD SOVEREIGN – Bandcamp Page
