A new name for 2024, Manchester crew Alchemize have only released a handful of singles, but have already gained very positive praise from some rather major outlets. They’ve been officially playlisted by Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music, and already been championed by BBC Radio 1.
One listen to their newest single ‘Bad Motives’ (released via Year of The Rat Records) makes it easy to hear why. From the outset, the metal based elements have a massively contemporary sound, but its the way these musicians feed their crunchiest instincts into other genres that makes them stand out.
The tracks opening notes bring a sledgehammer sized crunch when heavily distorted guitar work collides with industrial influenced drum loops, making Alchemize sound like a bigger version of classic Fear Factory meeting with the heavier elements of Save Us, before DJ loops add a slightly dancier feel to an already intense sound. Bringing in the vocal, there are traces of a classic nu metal influence lurking beneath some absolutely massive metalcore riffs, bringing something different to the table, before everything changes once more, and the main hook introduces a world of vocal effects and filters across a melody that’s obviously culled from a world of R&B and UK garage sounds. The marriage of the cleaner vocals and the crunchy metalcore riffs is fantastic. Even if the huge use of vocal filters isn’t always amenable to the metal crowd, there’s no doubt that the end result is distinctive.
For most bands, bringing these disparate elements together would be more than enough to make a massive statement, but Alchemize have a little more up their collective sleeve. The massive hardcore breakdown used to create a intense climax is probably this tracks most predictable element, but it sounds so bloody huge it’s impossible to not be impressed, but the presence of an old school guitar solo offering a full on fretboard shredder? That certainly didn’t seem to be on the cards. Certainly not right until the moment it actually happens, and even then, it has the effect of making the listener wonder if it’s actually supposed to be there.
When it comes to creating a crossover sound, Alchemize are a band who really aren’t holding back. This is a no holds barred, absolutely massive banger that’s really set to send this band further into the stratosphere.
Take a listen to ‘Bad Motives’ below.