Location: Zhytomyr
Country: Ukraine
Genre: Alchemical death metal
Format: Digital
Label: Independent
Release date: January 12, 2025
In Tria Prima’s “Three Primes of Alchemy”, three original songs and one cover give early death metal a massive enhancement with doom metal, classically trained guitars, and the electronic fusion of black metal and dark ambiance comprising what's known as dungeon synth. Electronic sounds blend with sound effects and lyrical explorations of the science, philosophy, and mysticism that were part of alchemical studies in medieval Europe between the fifth and fifteenth centuries.
As a result of the various subgenres of dungeon synth that served as inspiration, Tria Prima was provided room to expand the EP's horizons, and it shows in a number of ways. “Solar Sulphur,” for example, introduces a ceremony that gradually intensifies through the use of a doomy guitar line, strange bass progressions, evocative choral vocals from guest Anira and esoteric keyboards until finally unleashing a full assault of arcane wisdom and magic through the songwriting.
There is a strong similarity between the riffs played during the verses and bands like Death, Obituary, and Autopsy; the band states their inspiration to incorporate doom metal came from listening to Katatonia’s album “Brave Murder Day”. As a firm foundation for the recurring mystical theme and Anira’s otherworldly vocals established previously, these progressions are able to stand alone in straightforward classic death-thrash. Developed by bassist Serhii D. D. Bondar (aka Serg, Bestial Invasion, Cosmic Jaguar), the promotional video for this track depicts rituals taking place in an abandoned house, unleashing forces that surpass the surroundings of the ritual space.
“Philosopher’s Mercury” and “Witchcraft Salt” exhibit a greater degree of similarity to classic death metal, but they don't come without their share of time changes, ethereal keyboards, and unsettling effects that seem to originate from a distant past. Featuring grinding doomy sections, brilliantly executed, classically flavored keyboard and guitar solos, the latter song is the most progressive here.
The lyrics to their original songs are partly inspired by I’ve Greek mythology and the work of sixteenth century Swiss alchemist, physician, mystic and philosopher Paracelsus, who is described by the band as having been an enigmatic, complex and contradictory person. “Three Primes of Alchemy” also includes a cover of Asphyx’s 2012 classic “Deathhammer” from their album of the same name. –Dave Wolff
Lineup:
Ruslan Hrytsiuta: Vocals, guitars, keyboards, lyrics
Serhii D. D. Bondar: Bass, backing vocals, keyboards, songwriting, conception
Jury Sinitsky: Drums
Anira: Guest vocals
E. Maestro: Guest guitar solos
Track list:
1. Solar Sulfur
2. Philosopher's Mercury
3. Witchcraft Salt
4. Deathhammer (Asphyx cover)
