European Tour in October

[Mick]

When I first read about these plans at the Alchemist this spring I became very excited. When these notes were gone after the site update in June I was afraid the tour wouldn't happen. But then I read a Blabbermouth-article on plans to tour Europe with Textures and checked this band out (This is gonna be an awesome package - all it needs is tons of advertising!).
So far there are only three dates set. But according to Aardschok-magazine (see www.aardschok.nl/ => "Komsnert") Alchemist will play in Tilburg at the "013" (see www.013web.nl/) on October 24. Unfortunately, this isn't verified by the 013-web site ...
I cannot wait for the other dates to be announced at last. Sorry, patience really isn't one of my virtues ... ;)
I haven't been that excited about an upcoming tour since I was looking forward to Voivod in 1999.

[Mick]

25 dates - wow! Will there be special tour shirts?
I hope I'll be able to see more than one show! It's too bad that I don't have a car because public transportation is outrageously expensive here ...
Will you bring any equipment with you or will you rent stuff in Europe to avoid having to pay air freight charges?

[taog]

Yeah we will have tour merch and there are several shows planned for Germany, + Austria and Switzerland I think. We will be taking some stuff and hiring/borrowing the rest. We are touring with Dutch band Textures www.textures.nl who are helping us out with some stuff. They are really cool - sound like a cross between Meshuggah and Steve via or Devin Towsends stuff. - You will be our guest in Germany Mick - we intend to make you very drunk! ha ha

[Mick]

Thanx a lot for your response, mate!
You gotta make Rod, Adza, Johne and Nick post to the forum as well! :-)

Originally posted by taog
Yeah we will have tour merch and there are several shows planned for Germany, + Austria and Switzerland I think.
This sounds so great! You deserve this more than anybody else. I still can't believe it.
Say, in April you published a news post about your tour plans in Europea on your site. But after the update in June (or early July?) it was gone. Were your plans about to fail then?

Originally posted by taog
We will be taking some stuff and hiring/borrowing the rest.
What will you bring with you? Adza's didgeridoo?! ;-)

Originally posted by taog
We are touring with Dutch band Textures www.textures.nl who are helping us out with some stuff. They are really cool - sound like a cross between Meshuggah and Steve via or Devin Towsends stuff.
I didn't know them but when I read they'd be on tour with you guys I knew they had to be something special! I really enjoy the sound samples on their web site and already ordered the CD. I think the two of you will be an awesome package! What can I do to help you advertise it?
How did you get hooked up with them?
You know I have to hand in my diploma paper next Monday. After that I had planned on trying to contact a couple of guys who know other people who might have been able to get you a tour in Germany. I'm glad you don't have to rely on me but I'd love to help you become famous because I think your music is perfectly suited to be played in huge stadiums.
I only hope you'll still remember me then ... ;-)

Originally posted by taog
You will be our guest in Germany Mick - we intend to make you very drunk! ha ha
Wow, thanx a lot for your kind invitation! I'll take you up on it. But don't be afraid it doesn't take much to make me drunk ...
But what about all the groupies? :-)
Hey, I'll wear my "Metal for the Brain"-2001-T-Shirt. I bet I'm the only one in Europe who owns one so you'll recognize me instantly!

[mattyj]

how the fuck did you get your hands on an mftb 01 shirt?
you come out or some shit?
true fan, 'spect.

[Valan]

Whooo! you're playing the UK!!!
I shall be booking time of work to make it down to London to The Underworld!

Word of advice though, if you can in anyway manage to, see if you can play a night further up north, somewhere like Bradford Rios would be killer (failing that Nottingham or Manchester Rock city). There much better venues than The Underworld (everyone gets kicked out really early for one thing) and to be quite honest I think you'll get a better turn out, especially at Rios (http://www.bradfordrio.com/) as there seems to be a bigger 'metal/rock/alt' (<--whatever you want to call it) scene further up north.

Either way I'll be there! :D since I was introduced to your music about 3 yrs ago I've loved everything I've heard by you (think I've just about managed to get the lot now ;))

[Mick]

I start feeling a little apprehensivce because there still wasn't announced a single date in Germany ... :confused:
What's up with these boking guys?!:mad:

[goosh]

Awesome, alchemist on a euro tour. Psycroptic (aussie tech death band) also got themselves there first euro tour this november :D Awesome.

[Mick]

Will Guppy be responsible for the sound again during the European tour? I strongly hope so because he seems to be THE man for this job.

[Danthebokfan]

I have a feeling Marita (awesome sound chick does sound for lots of other aussie bands including Frankenbok) is travelling over to do the sound..... and she does an awesome job of it

[Colonel Klink]

Originally posted by Mick
Will Guppy be responsible for the sound again during the European tour? I strongly hope so because he seems to be THE man for this job.

Unfortunately due to back troubles Gup no longer does Alchemist's sound .

[goosh]

Originally posted by Danthebokfan
I have a feeling Marita (awesome sound chick does sound for lots of other aussie bands including Frankenbok) is travelling over to do the sound..... and she does an awesome job of it

Ugh, frankenbok.

[OutForJustice]

Why was the gig at The Underworld cancelled :( :(

Will the UK gig be re-scheduled?

[Valan]

Originally posted by OutForJustice
Why was the gig at The Underworld cancelled :( :(

Will the UK gig be re-scheduled?

What!? when did this happen!? I've not seen anything announced, bloody hell I've booked a couple of days off work to get down there!

PLEASE tell me your still playing the UK somewhere!

[Mick]

Thanx to Colonel Klink for updating me on Guppy. That's too bad. I'd have loved to meet him.
And thanx to Danthebokfan for making me curious about Marita!

Originally posted by Valan
What!? when did this happen!? I've not seen anything announced, bloody hell I've booked a couple of days off work to get down there!
PLEASE tell me your still playing the UK somewhere!
The UK dates have been announced here (http://www.texturesband.com/view.php?load=arcview&article=167)
Alchemist won't headline, though, but some Swedish band called "Cult of Luna". I've never heard of them.
There still is NO word on any German dates, yet. :( I seriously hope no one fucked this up!

[OutForJustice]

Originally posted by Valan
What!? when did this happen!? I've not seen anything announced, bloody hell I've booked a couple of days off work to get down there!

PLEASE tell me your still playing the UK somewhere!

Just heard from Stargreen yesterday. Now i have to send all 6 tickets back for a refund. Why they cant just refund startight away is beyond me, the gig is cancelled any way.

As the above poster said, Alchemist are now supporting Cult of Luna (who i really dont like :( ) at the Highbury Garage on the 5th October.

[Valan]

Got to see if they'll change the dates around at work for me now, their right arseholes where I work too :(

Really chuffed their playing Bradford Rios now though as this is a much better venue! If I can't get the 6th off work though I'll head to Sheffield to see 'em! A downer their now the support though, Cult Of Luna are crap, Alchemist will blow them away!!!

[Mick]

I'm disappointed that only one date in Germany could be finalized (And that one is so far west that it's almost in Luxembourg.) while six were planned initially.
What happened to these gigs?
Richard of Textures had told me that four of them were almost 100% confirmed!
Instead there are many expensive off-days now. I wonder what's the reason behind that.
Did the venues ask for too much money? Or did Loudnoise want higher profits?
When I saw that Loudnoise wasn't getting anywhere with the German leg of the tour I personally contacted dozens of clubs in Germany. Most of them already were booked out by then but I received offers from two clubs in Berlin that I forwarded to Loudnoise. Other clubs probably contacted them directly. So I wonder why these negotiations failed as well. Unfortunately, Loudnoise hasn't responded to me again (let alone thanked me for my initiative - unlike the Alchemist-guys, by the way).
So now I'll have to go to Prague which is about 300km from where I live (Trier / Germany is twice as far away, just like the Dutch gigs.). I wish I lived in the UK ... :(

[Colonel Klink]

Originally posted by Mick
I'm disappointed that only one date in Germany could be finalized (And that one is so far west that it's almost in Luxembourg.) while six were planned initially.
What happened to these gigs?
Richard of Textures had told me that four of them were almost 100% confirmed!
Instead there are many expensive off-days now. I wonder what's the reason behind that.
Did the venues ask for too much money? Or did Loudnoise want higher profits?
When I saw that Loudnoise wasn't getting anywhere with the German leg of the tour I personally contacted dozens of clubs in Germany. Most of them already were booked out by then but I received offers from two clubs in Berlin that I forwarded to Loudnoise. Other clubs probably contacted them directly. So I wonder why these negotiations failed as well. Unfortunately, Loudnoise hasn't responded to me again (let alone thanked me for my initiative - unlike the Alchemist-guys, by the way).
So now I'll have to go to Prague which is about 300km from where I live (Trier / Germany is twice as far away, just like the Dutch gigs.). I wish I lived in the UK ... :(

Mick , I got the impression talking to Adam that several of the European dates (prior to the announcement of the Cult of Luna tour) were unconfirmed , so I think they were starting to worry .
Which is why they were hooked up with COL as that tour was already organised .

Not much consolation to you but now you get to see Alchemist in an awesome city like Prague , enjoy .

They left yesterday , so they have probably arrived by now .

[Mick]

Originally posted by Colonel Klink
Mick , I got the impression talking to Adam that several of the European dates (prior to the announcement of the Cult of Luna tour) were unconfirmed , so I think they were starting to worry .
Which is why they were hooked up with COL as that tour was already organised .
Colonel Klink, that's what I thought as well.

Originally posted by Colonel Klink
Not much consolation to you but now you get to see Alchemist in an awesome city like Prague , enjoy .
That's nice of you to say!
I'll do my very best - hopefully I won't get lost or anything. ;)
But the Czech beer is famous as well so if I really do get the chance to meet the guys it'll be an awesome night!

Originally posted by Colonel Klink
They left yesterday , so they have probably arrived by now .
Yeah, I thought of them and kept my fingers pressed for a pleasant flight (and no lost luggage!).
I'd love to be able to see them tonight at Amsterdam!
I hope everything works out fine because a few of the clubs list their gigs on different dates or don't list their shows at all on their web sites ... :confused:

[CrazyMary]

I keep checking . . . I'm waiting for your review Mick!

[Mick]

Originally posted by Buram
So Mick did you catch the show in Amsterdam last night
No, unfortunately not. I live in East Germany and in spite of calculating back and forth I just couldn't afford it. I was 200 Euros short of reaching even the only German show ... But I'll go to Prague / Czech Republic which is closer to where I live.

Originally posted by Buram
Progpower fest is today isn't it??
Yeah, according to the Progpower-website they played from 19:55 - 20:55. I'll keep my eyes open for reviews!

Originally posted by Buram
Anyone out there feel free to give us Canberra boys an update of how the Shmutz are doing....
It must feel strange that you have to share them with us now. doesn't it?!
Anyway, I'll post anything I can grab here!

Originally posted by CrazyMary
I keep checking . . . I'm waiting for your review Mick!
I'll do the best I can, mate! But we'll both have to wait two more weeks for that ... ;)

[Buram]

cool thanx for the update, technical problems aaah they would have been pissed off but not really much you can do, they have been there many times before ... Roy blew his amp up before a big show with Fear Factory once and had to play through the PA ....ouch!

[Mick]

Originally posted by Buram
cool thanx for the update
You're welcome, mate!

Originally posted by Buram
technical problems aaah they would have been pissed off but not really much you can do, they have been there many times before ... Roy blew his amp up before a big show with Fear Factory once and had to play through the PA ....ouch!
Wow, that sounds awful ... poor Roy! Where did this happen?

[Buram]

I think that was in Brisbane, then Fear Factory cancelled the rest of there tour cause someone got sic.

Alchemist can overcome the tech problems , I'm sure Maggsy is doing his best!

[Mick]

Originally posted by Buram
I think that was in Brisbane, then Fear Factory cancelled the rest of there tour cause someone got sic.
What a bummer ...

Originally posted by Buram
Alchemist can overcome the tech problems , I'm sure Maggsy is doing his best!
Is Maggsy (one of) Alchemist's roadie(-s)?

[The Viking]

Hiya,

it has been some time since my last visit.
I have seen them on the opening night of the European tour. Amsterdam was great, although Roy had some problems with his gear. The rest sounded great though, and even Alchemist with tech. problems is better than no Alchemist at all.
I, and I'm sure a lot of other European fans as well, waited to Alchemist for so long, that even this was worth wait. You guys Down Under are really lucky to be able to see them play live as often as possible.
Two days later at Progpower they completely blew me away. What a gig, one of, no I think, the best I have seen this year. This really showed the strengt of Alchemist. Just amazing.
At the end of the tour they are going to play two more shows in Holland, and I'm sure I'll be there. I'm afraid after that it will be a long time again before we get the chance to see them again in Europe.
For all you Alchemist fans out there who are still have to check them out, make sure you catch them as this band is HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
The Viking

[Nikita]

Viking

So happy you signed back in!
Have been waiting on reviews from any of the shows.
Great to hear that they are showing Europe what they can do.

[El-Heino]

They rocked in London (Garage) on Tuesday night! Absolutely fabulous that they managed to come all the way over to Europe.

Actually, although not ideal, I think the partnership tour with Cult of Luna (that band is not my cuppa, to be honest) probably did very good for Alchemist; they would NEVER have managed to play that many shows in the UK without them. And probably a great opportunity to convert some new fans too (especially when CoL played such a dull set, IMO).

Textures were on fine form (great band with potential) and I was pretty happy with the package overall. I guess a headlining tour from Alchemist will be a couple years off still...

Their set was really balanced (stuff from many different releases, some stuff going way back, and even not afraid to play some of the LONG songs too!). Sound was good (ok, Adza's keyboard was kinda coming in and out of the mix, but that's nitpicking) and there was a pretty good friendliness/coziness between band and crowd. A few Aussie's in the audience certainly helped to show the local crowd how it is done! ;-)

I could have watched two hours of these guys, easily. Next time, aye!!!

[Mick]

Thanx a lot to The Viking and El-Heino for their reviews!
One week from now I'll enjoy similar sonic experiences I hope!

Originally posted by El-Heino
Adza's keyboard
Didn't they bring Nick along?

[El-Heino]

Didn't they bring Nick along?

Yes, sure! (if you mean that short dark-haired guy that has about half the age of the rest of the band! :p )

But Adza did have a small Korg-type keyboard set-up next to his mic-stand (he also uses it as a surface to lay down his 2 guitar-slides; essential!). He used it most notably on "Chinese Whispers", he plays that long keyboard lead part that kicks off at around 7:24 on that track. That song was ace; a crowd favourite!

[Valan]

Originally posted by The Viking
I'm afraid after that it will be a long time again before we get the chance to see them again in Europe.


:( ..bugger..

[taog]

Hey Everybody, Just a quick update. We are in Prague at the moment - it is an unreal city and very cheap, yeaterday we did the tourist thing, and now we are off to the show with Mortis and Susperia - Having a great time, the van has just fucked out on us - battery is dead, so I'm using this time to post this message. The people here are cool and the whole tour up to now has been awesome. We get home in a little over a week so I'll post a full run down then. Looking forward to seeing everybody back home. Australia is definatly the lucky country. Rock on!

[CrazyMary]

Thanks for the update Roy - looking forward to reading a couple of long posts from you when you get home!

[Buram]

back in a week shit that was quick! Hopefully you guys will do some more OS tours from now on sssssssssssssoooooo..

[Nikita]

Mick, where are you?

Waiting and waiting for your review on Prague!
:rolleyes:

[Narsil]

Well, I went to the gig in Belgium last night, didn't really know Alchemist before, but someone suggested me to go because I'm really fond of Voïvod...
So I went to Aalst city, did know dutch band Textures yet, happy they started off too late so I (=always late) could see and enjoy their show too. After Textures it was up to Alchemist, I didn't really know what to expect (you can't just compare something to Voïvod you know... ;) ) but their gig was really great...! I really hope we'll hear more of this band here in Europe soon!

[Eric_Textures]

We wanna thank Alchemist for this amazing tour! We really enjoyed playing with you guys, you fuckin' rocked hard. We're sure we'll meet you again (maybe sooner than you think!) - keep in touch, mucho respecto - Eric and Textures.

[arnold]

finaly after years of waiting and hoping i've seen alchemist for the first time live.
i've seen the gig in arnhem and it blew me away, i'll hope that alchemist is coming over many more times.

owh, i want to thank the band for signing the demo's :cool:

[sander]

Hey dudes, hope you survived the trip home. I had a great time touring with you guys and hope to see you again in the future.

grtz

Sander (tall foh b@st*rd)

[Colonel Klink]

They have made it home safely and gone into hibernation .

Welcome home lads , would be good to hear some tales .

[Proclamation]

Originally posted by Nikita
Mick, where are you?

Waiting and waiting for your review on Prague!
:rolleyes:

I too am wondering where Mick is????

All the Canberra peeps are waiting on your review on Prague!

Hope all is ok with you :confused:

Roy can you maybe fill us in? Did Mick catch up with you?

[taog]

Yeah, we caught up with Mick and his wife Eve in Prague. Here is a quick run down of the days events: We woke up to find our Van didn’t start after a big night out in Prague, We had a full day off in Prague and made the most of it, an unreal city. Not long after that the Promoter Thomas turned up and asked us to go to the gig. – In the end we had to get Textures to ferry us to the venue in their van. We got there at about 3 in the afternoon but we couldn’t do much until the Headliners Mortis and Sussperia turned up – They eventually turned up 3 or 4 hours late and held back the doors until Susperia sound checked. We were starting to worry about getting our set cut by this time – Rod had just discovered Mick in the foyer, we all said g’day, but were a bit disappointed the gig was all over the place – Mick and Eve had traveled from East Germany and another guy we met Ivan had traveled from Moscow. We eventually got 35 min to play – both Alchemist and Textures had to set up in front of Susperia’s gear, but we did it and both bands got a great reception. Susperia were terrible, half the crowd left for them – They sounded terrible even with the sound check and played for an hour, Mortis followed a bit later – They were a lot better, still a pretty bad sound though – kind of electronic sounding – I couldn’t help think how much Australia’s Jerk smoked them in the sound department. Anyway. We hanged out with Mick for most of the night, he didn’t seem too wrapped with the other bands – he seemed to have a good time while we were playing. I know he was bummed that there was not more German shows. I haven’t heard from him since and he has not been hitting the forum! Mick were are you? I’m still finishing off the tour diary which will be posted soon!

[taog]

It seems the drugs we put in your drink did the trick Mick! ha ha, It's been sometime since I read this post, it sure brings back the memories, about a year ago now! Your report is VERY flattering! hopefully we'll get to do it all again mate and we'll have some more time.. it would have been cool to have a meal and drink some beer! next time champ! see ya then

[CrazyMary]

Not sure if these have been posted before, but I just came across photos of the Arnhem gig.

Anyone who was there can re-live the memories ;)

http://www.metalshots.com/2004-10-22_Alchemist_Arnhem/index.html

[The Viking]

:devil:
best show I have seen last year!!
prove I was there in shots 0033 & 0038
:devil:

[CrazyMary]

:devil:
best show I have seen last year!!
prove I was there in shot number 0038
:devil:

*goes to look more betterer*

[The Viking]

*goes to look more betterer*
???????????? :toilet:

[CrazyMary]

???????????? :toilet:

*goes to have a closer look* :emot-part

[The Viking]

*goes to have a closer look* :emot-part
not to close as sitting to close to your screen is bad for your eyes. ;)

I remember having a conversation with Adam after the gig about the history of Alchemist. We continued that story in Melbourne a few weeks back, hahaha. There are always bits and pieces to add to the story.

[taog]

That photo page is classic! What a cool night that was!

[Mick]

I remember having a conversation with Adam after the gig about the history of Alchemist. We continued that story in Melbourne a few weeks back, hahaha. There are always bits and pieces to add to the story.
I bet there are! I wonder what the first musicians (who are LONG gone now) contributed to the evolution of the band's sound and what they think about it now, e.g.

[diseased by heredity]

Inherit Disease deleted the demo songs from myspace. New song from the album up. Check it out

[Mick]

It's been sometime since I read this post, it sure brings back the memories, about a year ago now! Your report is VERY flattering!
I just wanted to re-read it myself to take my mind off my ATDAS ("Accumulative 'Tripsis' Deprivation Anxiety Syndrome" © ® 2007 ;-) a little ... but it's no longer here, unfortunately (On the other hand post #53 seems to have come from an entirely different forum.)! Some other older stuff seems to be gone as well. Are there technical reasons for that or were they intentionally deleted by someone?
If so, who did it and why? :confused:

EDIT: Hey, the title fits again, so we might just as well go on using this thread instead of starting a new one! :cool:

[Antæos]

I'll most definitely be seeing you guys. Can't wait.