1.For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?
Astral Alchemy is a two man band located in upstate New York at the foot of the Adirondacks. The band was formed in 2024 when we were both working (believe it or not) on a Pop Punk cover side project called Dude Noodle. Both members come from very different styles of music and interests, but we have both shared a love for Black Metal since our teens. We have been friends since we were in sixth grade where we sat next to each other in homeroom every morning before classes started. This was during the Limewire and no smartphone days. We used to come in each day and show each other what sick Black or Death Metal band each of us found or how far we had gotten in Resident Evil 4 the night before. After high school, we lost touch for several years until one of us reached out around 2021 to record a Pop Punk/Emo album for a band called Playoffs. Since that album, we were always talking about going back to our roots and recording a Black Metal album. Well, we finally got to it. We did not take this record seriously until we sat down and wrote out the bones to Bathing in the Sap of the Moonflower… right then we knew we were on to something. Over the course of over a year we finished the album and the rest is history. We sent some emails out to some labels to see if anyone was interested, and Naturmacht picked us up. Now, our first record is releasing on June 26th and we are already most of the way through our second full length.
2.You have your first full length coming out in June, can you tell us a little bit more about the musical style that you went for on the recording?
To be completely honest, we both sat down with zero expectations and no musical style in mind, at first. I believe that is why this project just works. What came out was an amalgamation of many different styles, whether its Atmospheric/Symphonic/Melodic/DS/Post Black Metal, Pop Punk, Hardcore, Emo, Death Metal, Deathcore, it all funnelled towards what genre this album is. We believe that both of us, coming from different backgrounds and interests, helped keep ideas fresh. One of us has been a part of the Metal scene for well over a decade with interests that go along with that, and the other is on the other side of the spectrum with interests in sports and the Emo/Punk scene. However, we are both nerds at heart, which may come with the Black Metal territory. Once we finished Bathing in the Sap of the Moonflower, we knew our calling was definitely the realm of Melodic and Atmospheric Black Metal.
3.On one of the tracks you also added in some brutal death metal elements with a symphonic black metal style, do any of the band members have a background in playing in death metal bands?
One of us has zero experience writing Black Metal and the other has a plethora of experience writing/recording/mixing/mastering many different Metal genres but focusing mainly on Black and Death Metal. The member with no experience is actually the one who wrote most of the music on the album and the experienced member fine tuned, put together, and reeled everything in. We think the inexperience of writing Black Metal for one of us brought a fresh perspective and ideas to the table, which is why the album incorporates little bits of different musical styles. It keeps the project fun to include other influences and genres so that the music doesn’t go stale.
4.What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?
This is actually a concept album that tells a tale of longing and attempting to end the world by using mystical alchemy to summon a Greek Titan to destroy the world by bringing down the stars. There also may be a bit of a twist at the end. The story incorporates a bit of mythology, alchemical processes, all sprinkled with a bit of mysticism. One of us has an engineering background, so writing a concept album seemed more natural given a single plot as a focused canvas to write around.
5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Astral Alchemy'?
We did not have a band name when we started writing this record. When Bathing in the Sap of the Moonflower was mostly finished, we brainstormed exhaustively to finally come up with Astral Alchemy. We think it vibes well with our musical style as we include mystical, alchemical, nature, and cosmological themes throughout our music. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less.
6.Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?
The artwork actually takes place in a swamp deep in the woods of our parents’ property. We thought it fit well given the setting of the first two tracks on the record. Plus, what’s better than some hooded figures in the swamp/woods for a black metal album.
7.Can you tell us a little bit more about the masks and cloaks the band members wear in the promo pictures?
At first we wanted to be completely anonymous to give off a more mysterious persona and one of us wanted to separate himself from his other bodies of work so that no one would compare. However, we decided to not be completely anonymous as it would help us get the album out there for more people to enjoy. Joining Naturmacht also helped with this tremendously. So cloaks and face coverings were decided on to give a bit of that sinister and mysterious touch and at least keep our faces anonymous. The blank face coverings were chosen as we wanted to seem faceless and we didn’t want to just go with corpse paint (not that corpse paint is a bad thing, at all). We just wanted something simple, yet effective.
8.Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up or do you prefer to remain a duo?
As of right now there are no plans to add anyone to the lineup. Right now, having only two members makes things like writing, balancing our wants/preferences, and juggling schedules so much easier. It’s not that we are against it, we are just rolling with what works so far.
9.On a worldwide level, how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?
The reaction and reach of the first single has vastly exceeded our expectations. We were hoping to get maybe 500 views on our music video, and after just one week, we are at over 12,000 views! It is almost unfathomable to think that a little Black Metal album that was written in a basement by two regular dudes could reach that many people. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we have gotten has been amazing. We are just so grateful and stoked that other people, even around the world, enjoy and get something out of listening to our music as much as we do.
10.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We plan to make every record a concept album with a different story and a different vibe for each one. This record has a bit more mystical/magical vibe and undertone. The second album, which is well underway, is much darker and a bit more historical. The second record may also have a feature from another sick black metal band, so stay tuned. Since we believe the first record turned out well, we plan to keep the same trajectory of Melodic/Atmospheric Black Metal with some other genres slightly intertwining to hopefully create a unique experience. We think it has worked out so far.
11.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We have not really thought about influences until we just read this question. Thinking on the spot as we are writing this, we think our influences would be in the realms of Aara, Grima, MøL, Cân Bardd, Anorexia Nervosa, and Dimmu Borgir.
As for bands we have been listening to…
He Who Walks Under the Blood Moon: Lunar Spells, Sarastus, Aara, Tårfödd, Fief, AFI, Driveways, Casket Cassette, Tiny Voices, Ben Quad, and Colter Wall.
He Who Wields Twin Scepters of Malice: Bloodbark, Passeisme, Hum, Tigers Jaw, Moonsorrow, Warning, Moraš, Lunar Spells, Hot Mulligan, and Alcest.
12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
We would just like to thank everyone who has given us a listen and shown us some love. Also, we would like to thank Naturmacht for giving us a shot.
We are just some regular dudes, having fun, and playing Black Metal in a basement for all to enjoy (hopefully). More Astral Alchemy to come in the future, so stay tuned!
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