This release includes 2 movements of Bach's Harpsichord Concerto in D Minor, the Agnus Dei from the High Mass in B Minor, 1 brand new 10-minute song ("Haunter of the Void"), a prequel to "Cthulhu" ("Beneath the Sea") and 3 previously released ALKALOID songs in expanded version ("Cthulhu", "A Fool's Desire" and "The Fungi From Yuggoth").

 

ALKALOID know no bounds. Consisting of current and former members of Obscura, Triptykon and Dark Fortress, this supergroup have rearranged the very composition of progressive death metal by experimenting with worldly polyrhythms, sci-fi concepts and brutally catchy choruses. But during the summer of 2024, the quintet conducted a genre-defying performance that, once and for all, proved their mastery.

Recorded live in the Netherlands, ‘Bach Out of Bounds’ brings the revered composer in conversation with the heaviest of underground arts. Across three separate performances – at the Bachfestival in Dordrecht, Paard van Troje in The Hague and on November Music in Den Bosch – ALKALOID present three faithful renditions of Bach classics alongside an award-winning ensemble. Heavenly vocals grace sacred aria “Agnus Dei”. Even the hellacious guitar solo on “Allegro” achieves perfect harmony with softly shredding strings.

Of course, being metal’s mad scientists, ALKALOID also unveil some fresh creations by reimagining songs from their own acclaimed catalogue in Bach’s image. As if summoned by a siren’s call, “Beneath the Sea” is revealed as a speaker-shaking precursor to the band’s monster hit “Cthulhu”. New song “Haunter of the Void” goes where no metalhead has gone before: following a digitized brain into deep space's crushing void.

“These will change everything”, Morean growls as “The Fungi from Yuggoth” spawns into a headbanging symphonic mutation.

With ‘Bach Out of Bounds’, ALKALOID deliver a classically innovative performance as only a true maestro can.

 

For fans of TRAN-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA, SYMPHONY X & DREAM THEATER.

Cover photography by Lindy Balduk.

 

Tracklist:

01. Allegro (BWV 1052-I) (08:28)

02. Adagio - All Is Vanity (BWV 1052-II) (06:56)

03. Beneath the Sea (07:26)

04. Cthulhu (06:00)

05. Haunter of the Void (10:11)

06. A Fool's Desire (08:55)

07. Agnus Dei (BWV 232) (06:25)

08. The Fungi From Yuggoth (07:47)