GRAND ALCHEMIST was formed in Holmestrand, Norway in late 1995. The founding member and main force behind the music and lyrics of GRAND ALCHEMIST is Sigurd Dybing, who has been playing in various bands since 1994. Sigurd began playing the piano and developing his keyboard skills at the age of seven. Then in 1992 he decided to expand his horizons and diversify by picking up the guitar. In the autumn of 1995 Sigurd got together with his long-time friend, Kristian Stoelan. They began rehearsing together and soon found out that their playing was developing into something magical, so they formed the band ‘Morrheim’. In the autumn of 1996 they recorded their first demo “The Midwinter Frost”. They added guitarist, Kim, and in the spring of 1997 their second demo “Forever Night Infinity” was recorded. By the spring of 1998 things began heading in a new direction, so they decided to change the name of the band from ‘Morrheim’ to GRAND ALCHEMIST. During this year they began working on new songs that were more complex and unique sounding than ever before and by the end of 1999 GRAND ALCHEMIST had recorded 6 new songs at Elg Studios.
Kim left the band in 2001 and was replaced on guitar by Terje Stangeland, who helped even more to contribute in developing and improving the band’s sound. Roland Johnsen joined the band on bass guitar shortly after Terje had arrived.
In February of 2002 GRAND ALCHEMIST signed with Sound Riot Records and a month later (on March 25th) they entered the Elg Studio to record their full-length release. GRAND ALCHEMIST spent 200 hours in studio, focusing all of their energy and creativity into the 12 songs on the album. The music created on “Intervening Coma-celebration” is incredibly dynamic and complex with all of the elements in the music coming together perfectly. The album was mastered by Tom Kvålsvoll at Strype Studios in May of 2002, where the final touches were done to guarantee an awesome and professional sound!
The music of GRAND ALCHEMIST is more technical, tighter, faster, varied and sophisticated than ever before. Their playing style puts heavy emphasis on the melodic and the intensive aspects of Black Metal, while blending in the more experimental styles heard in the very finest of the Progressive and Classical music. “Intervening Coma-celebration”, exudes fabulous melodies in the guitar arrangements and an excellent performance in the bass lines. Variation and skill in a drums what features a musician with almost 10 years of experience and tons of ideas. The changes between the raging vocals and clean vocals are incredible! No doubt, this album have great potential to be one of best albums of Black Metal in the melodic or symphonic category of 2002.
LINE-UP Sigurd Dybing: Vocals, Guitar and Keyboards Terje Stangeland: Lead guitar Roland Johnsen: Bass and Backing vocal Kristian Stoelan: Drums
DISCOGRAPHY ”The Midwinter Frost” Demo-CD 1996 ”Forever Night Infinity” Demo-CD 1997 “Promo 1999” Demo-CD 1999 “Intervening Coma-celebration” CD 2002 (Sound Riot)
Source: http://planeta.terra.com.br/
