Since assembling in 2013, Alkaloid have known no bounds. Fresh from the minds who brought metalheads Obscura, Triptykon and Dark Fortress, the supergroup has rearranged the very composition of progressive death metal. Their three studio albums are widely acclaimed for synthesizing seemingly opposing forces. Worldly polyrhythms are bent to shape sci-fi storylines, only to morph into brutally catchy choruses. However, last summer, the quintet conducted a truly one-of-a-kind experiment, the kind that only a maestro an perform.
Today, Alkaloid are announcing their very first live album. Recorded live in the Netherlands during three special performances, Bach Out of Bounds brings the classical world in conversation with the heaviest of underground arts. Joined by an award-winning ensemble of vocalists, accordion and string players, the band present wildly re-imagined arrangements of three compositions from Johann Sebastian Bach, while also infusing the heart and soul of the classic composer into their own songs.
Along with fresh takes on fan favorites from Numen and The Malkuth Grimoire, Bach Out of Bounds introduces two new songs to Alkaloid's cannon. "Haunter of the Void" looks deep into an unknown future, but its far-out tale is guided by the progressive metal maestro's cosmically crushing virtuoso.
"We're always open for an artistic challenge", says Morean, Alkaloid's vocalist and guitarist. "When Bach Out of Bounds, came our way, we fully embraced the adventure to show yet another side of Alkaloid. We were lucky to be supported by guest artists who share our vision and passion for defying boundaries".
"'Haunter of the Void' was especially commissioned for this show", Morean continues. "The song translates Bach and 18th century polyphony into Alkaloid's sonic universe by applying Baroque counterpoint composition techniques to our own scales and harmonies. This 10-minute epic links Bach and Alkaloid without diluting our identity one iota".
Watch Alkaloid perform "Haunter of the Void" live at Bachfestival 2024 below.
Bach Out of Bounds - Live in the Netherlands comes out January 23, 2026 on Season of Mist
Pre-order
https://orcd.co/alkaloidbachoutofbounds
Pre-save on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/2pWtSI1XiPBUoM0TLenyKV?si=VX7Qw3CEQ5ec26ubrYgJiA&nd=1&dlsi=a691e08dbd9948ed
Available Formats
CD Digipack
2x12" Vinyl Gatefold
Even though it was commissioned specially for this performance by the Dutch Performing Arts Fund (FPK), "Haunter of the Void" couldn't have come from any other mind but Alkaloid's. After all, the band has already charted a multi-part saga about a galactic civilization that reaches god-like levels. Their latest space odyssey follows a digitized brain into the void, where it must defy the impossible in order to protect what little hope remains for a long-dead Earth.
"Thrown to the darkness / To survive", Morean and soprano Chrysa Tsaltampasi call out to each other as if drifting into a black hole.
"Haunter of the Void" truly expands Alkaloid's universe. Applying Bach's polyphonic composition techniques has deepened the band's gravitational pull. Accordion, violin and cello streak like shooting stars beneath the meteoric riffs and laser-like solos of new guitarists Max Blok and Justin Hombach. With drums rumbling ahead at warped-speed, the song climbs to a head-banging crescendo that sent the crowd at Bachfestival home happy with their minds fully blown.
“The audience who came and saw these performances went crazy for it”, Morean remembers. “I’m so happy that we can now share them with people everywhere. People aren’t going to know what hit them. Bach Out of Bounds is very different from what other metal bands - or even Alkaloid – normally do”.
The video for "Haunter of the Void" was filmed live at the 2024 Bachfestival in Dordrecht, Netherlands. It was created by Thomas Niehof / Creative Headroom & Lindy Balduk Photography.
With Bach Out of Bounds, Alkaloid deliver a classically innovative performance as only a true maestro can.
Alkaloid is
Morean - Vocals, guitar
Hannes Grossmann - Drums
Linus Klausenitzer - Bass
Justin Hombach - Guitar
Max Blok - Guitar
Guest musicians
Rianne Wilbers - Soprano
Chrysa Tsaltampasi - Soprano
Julija Hartig - Violin
Oene van Geel - 5-string violin
Marieke Hopman - Accordion
Ketevan Roinishvili - Cello
Recording credits
Recorded live in the Netherlands at Bibelot / Dordrecht and Paard van Troje / The Hague
Front of house engineer: Laurens Voois
Production credits
Produced by Alkaloid
Mixed by Hannes Grossman at Mordor Sounds, Germany
Mastered by Victor Bullok at Woodshed Studio, Germany
Songwriting credits
Music for "Allegro", "Adagio - All Is Vanity" and "Agnus Dei" written by Johann Sebastian Bach
Music for "Cthulhu" written by Morean and Hannes Grossman
Music for "Beneath the Sea" and "Haunter of the Void" written by Morean
Music for "A Fool's Desire" written by Hannes Grossman
Music for "The Fungi from Yuggoth" written by Christian Münzner
Lyrics to "Adagio - All Is Vanity" based on "Es ist alles eitel" by Andreas Gryphius and adapted by Morean
Lyrics to "Agnus Dei" taken from John 1:29
Lyrics to "Beneath the Sea", "Cthulhu", "Haunter of the Void", "A Fool's Desire" and "The Fungi from Yuggoth" written by Morean
Available Formats
CD Digipack
2x12" Vinyl Gatefold
Pre-order & Pre-save
https://orcd.co/alkaloidbachoutofbounds
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Website:https://alkaloid-band.com/
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