Just your everyday progressive psychedelic industrial death
Justin Gaines | Northern Virginia | 01/25/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Of all the great metal releases of 2007 - and there were plenty - I was anticipating the return of Australian extreme metal band Alchemist the most. I've been mesmerized by this band ever since I took a chance on their Organasm album a few years ago, so the release of Tripsis after a four year absence was a big deal to me.
With Tripsis, the band's overall sound - a unique mixture of Death, Pink Floyd, Faith No More, Opeth, and perhaps Ministry - stays pretty close to what we heard on Organasm and Austral Alien. There is perhaps a bit more emphasis on the industrial elements this time around, but for the most part Tripsis does not seem as creative or risky as preceding albums. Don't get me wrong, it's still a first rate avant garde metal album, but after such a long absence (made easier by the Embryonics 90-98 retrospective), I expected more in the way of progression and experimentation.
I hope that doesn't sound overly negative. I actually like this album a lot, and think it's at least as good as Austral Alien. It's just not their best album, and I tend to expect that whenever Alchemist releases an album.
If you're already an Alchemist fan, you don't need me telling you to pick up this album. If you've not yet heard the band, and are into bands like Opeth, Strapping Young Lad, Cynic, Death, and other metal innovators, you should definitely check out Alchemist (start here and work your way backwards). Listening to an Alchemist album for the first time tends to leave your eyes glazed over, drool leaking from your mouth, and a trickle of blood running from your ears."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1