So, as a bit of a heads up, this is the first time I had heard of Dread Sovereign, being a three piece out of Dublin Ireland, formed by Primordial’s own A.A. Nemtheanga back in 2011 ish. Now, I’m a big fan of all things Primordial and Primordial related, so when this came up for grabs, I was pushier than the class swot answering questions at the front of the class! As a bit of a spoiler, after listening to this album, I went back to listen to their back catalogue on a well known streaming service.

Enough of the preamble, what’s the deal with “Alchemical Warfare”? Well, according to the PR blurb, it’s an album about Isaac Newton trying to find out the secret of alchemy. Or something. I have no idea, really, except save to say that I was interested in Newton being at least partially responsible for being the muse for the album, given that I went to the same school as him (albeit we were in different school years).

Opener “A Curse on Men” is an atmospheric minute or so opener, until we get to “She Wolves of the Savage Season”, which comes across as prime Venom by way of the spacier elements of Motorhead, all flapping-bass and flaying, psyched out cosmic guitar soloing. Of course, Nemtheanga’s vocals are – as always – a stand out sound. It’s a darkened rocker that stretches for over ten minutes, though it is testament to the songwriting that it really doesn’t seem to last that long at all – even with the doom metal and-section that channels the theme from “28 Days Later” by way of Paradise Lost. “The Great Beast We Serve” follows up next, with the kind of aggressive slow-galloping riff that would be found on early Solitude Aeturnus albums. Then, halfway through, we get to a proper “Powerslave” gallop while we have a bit of a Bathory chant. Are you intrigued yet? This isn’t just some hodge-podge of influences dolloped up, it’s itself an alchemical operation. Carefully curated influences from old-school metal brewed up with utmost care.

“Nature is the Devils Church” erupts from some brooding synth, that bass sound and recklessly enjoyable gallop bringing to mind the furious charge of horses. I’m not sure if it’s intentional, but by Jove if the guitar tone here doesn’t have something of early 80’s goth about it too; if you’ve ever wanted to know what The Cure might sound like covering a track off “At War with Satan”, this is as close to it as you’re likely to get. Then, just as you think you’ve got a handle on it, the song writhes about on some mad psychedelic weird-out. “Her Masters Voice” is the album’s “Just ‘Cos You’ve Got The Power” (from Motorhead’s criminally under rated “Rock N’ Roll” album), a slow tempo rumbler with a real anthemic quality. When he sings, triumphantly, about The Devil, Nemtheanga says “We are one and the same”. In that moment, just before the wonderfully off-kilter rhythm change and zonked-out guitar solo occurs, he may well be right.

“Viral Tomb” is another minute or so of atmospheric noise, before we get right back to business with “Devil’s Bane”. This really couldn’t be any more Venom even if it was being sung by a Geordie with a hairline in two postcodes. There’s also some of that proto-brutal Hellhammer vibe here too, particularly with the charming sudden tone change towards the chorus. At almost 9 minutes long, “Ruin upon the Temple Mount” really reminded me of The Meads of Asphodel, with the early Black Metal meets Hawkwind head-mashery. That isn’t the closer though. Somewhat fittingly, the band finish things off with a fairly obscure Bathory cover, “You don’t move me (I don’t give a fuck)”, which manages to capture the sheer joy of early Bathory, being equal parts speed metal, naivety and drunken rock n’ roll.

How to succinctly then sum up “Alcehmical Warfare” ? Well, it’s absolutely fantastic. The Editor told me he’d been listening to it on repeat before sending to me, and you know what? He was bloody right too. This is an absolute cracker. Get it.

(9/10 Chris Davison)

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https://dreadsovereign.bandcamp.com/album/alchemical-warfare