22nd February 2026

Review: “Demo” by Alchemic Transmutation

What are the chances of finding love in the confines and chaos of Brutal Death Metal soaked Grindcore? While it seems unlikely, Austin and Melaina Spence have done exactly that, starting a project in Alchemic Transmutation to see if they can create a few tunes to help you breathe more easily. Put simply multi instrumentalist Austin handles guitars, bass and drums while his wife Melaina handles vocals, lyrics and guitars. Their first crack of the metaphorical whip being a three track demo that has the kind of long titles that aren’t for the faint of heart meaning their music isn’t going to be for the weak of mind… oh and their band name? For those not in the know, Alchemy is the medieval forerunner of Chemistry and Transmutation is the action of changing or the state of being changed into another form… so from human they become “The Thing“…

There is a menacing and sinister darkness to “Festering Dish of Putrid Succulence” that lingers long after it has reached its unnatural conclusion, the demonic death growled vocals from Melaina reaching otherworldly depths of depravity during a violently turbulent opening foray. Whats interesting is that the pair aren’t simply about all out speed and aggression in the vein of bands like Vast Slug instead being more than happy to go low and slow if they so desire. A Fulci inspired low budget horror film score piece makes up the later part of the track, eerie enough to send a shiver down the spine on the first listen while haunting enough to be disorientating. Returning to the bowel clenching low vocals “Excremental Despair Of Forgotten Dispositions” feels like a demo from Guttalax, the sonic punishment from the vocals alone enough to trigger a brain hemorrhage. There is more to this one than meets the ear however with a couple of damsel in distress style horror movie screams during the mid section to keep the discerning listener on their toes. This may not have the speed but it certainly has the brutality to reduce venues to rubble, this project demonstrating enough talent to leave a scar. Tim Curry’s voice is sampled from 1985’s “Legend” with “Oh, Mother Night! Fold your dark arms about me” as “Offerings of Burnt Sordid Brain Tissues” takes to flight, the blood curdling vocals from Melaina as vicious as they come. Blast beats and powerful chord progressions keep the home fires burning, the churn and burn of this one working incredibly well before some tasteful staccato riff breaks turn to sinister urges once more. Be warned. Your ears are going to bleed! [7/10]

Track Listing