Alkhemia – interview

Leestijd: 3 minuten

Op vrijdag 29 maart komt de Franse band Alkhemia met hun eerste release. Abraxas zal dan via het eveneens Franse Malpermesita Records wereldkundig worden. De band rondom James Spar trad afgelopen editie van Loud & Heavy al op in Nederland, terwijl ook België al bezocht is. Sterker nog, dit gezelschap heeft live al vele vlieguren gemaakt. Gezien die langspeler toch een tijd op zich liet wachten, gaf dat een goede reden om eens een interview met Alkhemia te hebben.

Het interview met Alkhemia ging onder andere natuurlijk over de debuutplaat, maar ook over Clément Flandrois. Die naam zou bij elke liefhebber van black metal toch wel een belletje moeten doen rinkelen. Check hieronder de single het gesprek met James Spar.

Het interview

WRR: “Alkhemia is for a lot of people a new name in the world of metal. Could you tell a bit more about how this was started?”
JS: “Alkhemia was born during the lockdown. The process was long and painful, each stage of this album was strewn with pitfalls from composition to final recording. It’s finally being released at the time of this interview, fortunately.”

WRR: “Abraxas is your first record with Alkhemia. Where is this record about?”
JS: “Abraxas comes from Gnostic mysticism, the magic of old Greek writings. This album is a long introspection ; a return to values ​​that are dear to me. « Homoprescence » is a vision of an ascetic man above a mountain painting a bitter observation of a life of modernity and sickening banality. The first sentence of this album pretty much sums up this title : “I stuck in this world with shit stained tears”. Abraxas is an album where spirituality takes precedence over the material world.”

Clément Flandrois

WRR: “The record is produced by Clément Flandrois. What did he add to this process and to the sound?”
JS: “Clément Flandrois my most beautiful human encounter in ages. We met during our mini tour with Gorgon for whom he was filling the bass duties. So far, we have played 22 shows without the album in our hands. Clément offered us to finalize the Abraxas process, the recording was made at the Nebiros studio in Belgium. Nebiros is the former guitar player of legendary Enthroned. This collaboration of black metal enthusiasts between those two men of values gives a note and a passionate color to black metal.”

Inspiration and future

WRR: “What is used as inspiration to write those songs?”
JS: “I think I’ve already answered about it, but writing songs is essential for us, and as far as I am concerned, I am only inspired by making my emotions, my anger, real, which touches me deeply. That’s the last bastion of freedom in music. I can finally be myself during liveshows. The sound waves, -wether good or bad-, the energy they provide are the reason Alkhemia exists.”

WRR: “What are the plans for when Abraxas is released?”
JS: “Our plan is to continue expressing ourselves on every stage that would welcome us, as long as possible. Music is something to experience, so what’s better than concerts ? We’re a freakin’ live band!”

TRACKLIST ABRAXAS

1. Homoprescence 9:44
2. Toxicon 5:59
3. Transhumanization 5:15
4. Primaveal Pantheon 11:12
5. Reminiscence Quintessence 6:40

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