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Why Alchemist isn't mentioned in the same breath as bands like Death, Cynic, and Atheist is beyond explanation. They might not quite reach the over-the-top technicality of those bands, but they're not that far removed either. And when it comes to creating truly progressive atmospheric death metal, no band short of Opeth can touch what Alchemist serves up. This band is the Porcupine Tree of extreme metal. The 2-disc set Embryonics is a collection of the band's early works, from their EP releases all the way back to their earliest demo recordings. Some of the material is, as expected, a bit rough around the edges, but I was surprised at the overall high quality of the songs collected here. This is obviously a band that got real good, real fast. I'd say that the material on Embryonics leans more towards the aggressive side than the atmospheric, but not by a wide margin. You'll still hear plenty of the technical instrumentals, atmospheric elements, and otherworldly vocals that make up Alchemist's unique sound. As an added bonus, the booklet features tons of vintage photos, album covers, flyers, and liner notes. While Embryonics is a must-have for all Alchemist fans, it is probably not the best starting point for new listeners. If you haven't yet discovered Alchemist, you're better off checking out their Organasm album, which Amazon is selling for a very low price. Once you hear it, you'll be back here soon enough ordering this set!Read full review
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