Alkaloid - The Malkuth Grimoire

Published March 19 2015

*=Staff's pick	Carbon Phrases* From A Hadron Machinist Cthulu* Alter Magnitudes* Orgonism Dyson Sphere - I.Mining The Oorth Cloud Dyson Sphere - II. Assembly Dyson Sphere - III. Kardashev 2.1 - The God Oven Dyson Sphere - IV. Sol Omega The Malkuth Grimoire C-Value Enigma Funeral For A Continent*

Genre	Progressive Death Metal	Morean	Vocals
Tracks	12	Morean	Guitar
Running time	70 Min.	Danny Tunker	Guitar
Label	Selfreleased	Christian Münzner	Guitar
Release	March 17, 2015	Linus Klausenitzer	Bass
Country	Germany/USA	Hannes Grossman	Drums
Producer	Alkaloid	-	Keyboard
Similar artists	---

There's always a lot of talk about supergroups when musicians who have their main occupation in another band get together to create some new music. If I'm tired of such talk, maybe I shouldn't review Alkaloids debutrecords because you know that there's going to be a ton of namedropping? Dear readers, not reviewing this record would amount to gross dereliction of duty.

Let's get the facts straight. On drums you'll find Hannes Grossman, perhaps familiar from Necrophagist in which band he, together with Christian Münzner (Spawn Of Possession), was a part of the record Epitaph from 2004. A killer record. On bass we find Linus Klausenitzer who of course plays fretless bass in Obscura and Noneuclid along with guitarist Morean who also sings in Alkaloid. The third guitarist is Danny Tunker from Aborted.

The Malkuth Grimoire is to a large extent a truly magical record. The only things I have to object to on this record are some parts in the Dyson Sphere-suite. Not only do we get stellar palying from all members - what truly shines are the songs. I especially want you to observe the opening track, Carbon Phrases, a song that slowly builds to a mammoth song. It sure got me to listen most intently as most band opens with a more aggressive attitude. Fact is that Alkaloid is not afraid to put severely aggressive parts next to far more subtle playing.

I really must say that this record might well end up on this reviewer's best of list for 2015. The songs are so solid that I am constantly discovering new nooks and crannies for every time I listen to it. You should check this album out - it deserves your attention.

Performance	Originality	Production	Vocals	Songwriting
8	7	8	8	8

Summary
8 chalices of 10 - Martin