Review: “Alchestronomy” by Parius

“An alchemist and an astronomer engaged in a battle of ideals. Each of them convinced they know what will ensure they live forever. The album is a sort of musical inkblot test that the band hopes will be cherished by prog fans and casual listeners alike, serving as both a half-hour progressive music epic, as well as seven distinct and traditionally structured songs – a progeny of works like Dream Theater’s “Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence” and The Mars Volta’s “Cassandra Gemini”” ~ Parius

In 2011 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania based quartet Parius began a journey into Progressive Melodic Death Metal laced with themes inspired the collected works of highly influential author H.P. Lovecraft. A time of thrills and spills, the past fifteen years of that have seen the band expand their sonic horizons while earning critical acclaim, taking their journey from North America into other far flung dimensions. Mixed and mastered by Jamie King (Between The Buried And Me, The Contortionist, Dead Man In Reno) their fourth studio album “Alchestronomy” is the follow up to 2022’s well received “The Signal Heard Throughout Space” with the bands line up of vocalist Louis Thierry, guitarist Ryan Rauch, bassist Kenny Rentz and drummer Dan Silver not only remaining intact but joined by special guest Diego Tejeida on keyboards throughout.

It takes an over active imagination and many sleepless nights to formulate something of the epic grandeur of “Alchestronomy” not to mention some serious dedication to craft. Enthralling and captivating from the very start, the theatrical nature of this playful beast brings together a wide range of influences with subliminal nods to more recent works by Between The Buried and Me not to mention Devin Townsend. Dream Theatre and Queen. It has that spellbinding quality with fantastic storytelling which captures the imagination and at only thirty six minutes long it’s something that can be enjoyed without interruption on a more regular basis than most.

The record begins with “Alchemy” which builds an atmosphere which warns that something sinister lurks in the shadows even before the harsh vocals from Thierry rear their ugly head only to be replaced by soaring cleans as the story unfolds in wide eyed wonder. As a curtain raiser the track is a bold statement piece with a rich tapestry as 1970’s inspired keys float in swathes of bass, guitar and percussion, the attention to detail second to none. Parius have created something with the power to draw you in over the better part of six minutes and now require a grand auditorium in which to perform. Think high ceilings adorned by artwork like the Sistine Chapel, red velvet seats and mood lighting and you get the picture. Nuances rise to the surface with each repeated listen, glorious funky bass moments appearing in “Unbecoming of a Gentleman” which feels like it has a little Panic At The Disco about it with the wordy nature of the lyrics and rounded nature of the sound. Angular riffs surge as the electricity flows through the veins of “Celestial Sea“, a heavier tune with a wonderful contrast in depth and texture, the band creating classical music for Metal heads with style and substance. Oh and the storytelling as just as majestic as the sounds.

Track Listing

“Alchestronomy” by Parius is out 13th November 2026 via Willowtip Records