Band: ALKIMISTA
Country: Portugal
Title: Cinzas
Label: Independent
Year: 2021
Style: Doom Death Metal

Review:
Pedro Serpa is the sole member of Alkimista, a project started in 2017 that has reached here the second full-length album. Cinzas is made of 7 tracks and lasts for a bit over 40 minutes of playing time. It starts pretty melodic I'd say and you're bound to believe you're going to have a mellow journey, but it soon becomes tormented and desperate, fronted by a rough, comprehensive vocal that is far from being melodic, well, apart from some very brief clean vocal inserts. The compositions build up a desolate, somehow melancholic atmosphere, the rhythms are always slow and dragging, even when the Death Metal influences kick in, so you'd better be used to such sonorities if you want to enjoy it in full. If feels personal and honest, a genuine declaration from the man behind Alkimista, and this feeling may convince the listener this is worthwhile although it doesn't come with anything really surprising or original. The use of acoustic guitars, although on simple harmonies, is a good touch, a warm touch to an otherwise bleak atmosphere. Self-released in professional CD format with 8 pages booklet featuring all lyrics (in Portuguese) as limited edition to 250 copies.
Reviewed by Adrian
Rating: 7/10

Contact:
alkimista.bandcamp.com