Critically compared to prog acts like Dream Theatre and Fates Warning, Alchemy X nonetheless has managed to carve out their own niche in the very underground scene that is progessive metal here in the U.S. At times sounding heavier than the aforementioned bands, AX has also drawn comparisons to Iron Maiden and Savatage in that modality, as well as contemporaries in the field like Symphony X, Aztec Jade and Defyance All these characterizations have merit, depending upon which album or song one is hearing at the moment. The superior Petrucci-esque guitar work of twin 7-string ax-men Chris Fox and Rob Schreiber finds the perfect balance between furious riffing and bottom-end heavyness, while Steve Ratchen is quite possibly the only person who effectively plays seven string bass guitar upside down! This strange configuration further adds to AX's unique sound. Ratchen also adds everything from atmospheric strings to classical piano, laying texture to the bands more lush pieces. Drummer Chris Scorsese also walks the fine line between Neil Peart percision and all-out thrashing. The addition of former Attacker/Sleepy Hollow singer Bob Mitchell turns the tried and true formula of Geoff Tate type vocals for a heady prog outfit on its ear! Mitchell's famous rasp kicks it into high gear, but his fans will be more than surprised at the justice he does the softer, almost ballad-esque counterpoints on AX's new album. Dark imagery, great intellectualized lyrcis from Ratchen and Mitchell, and top-notch musicianship are Alchemy X's calling cards, and fans of "A Delicate Balance" will not be disappointed with their new sound or effort.
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Album: A Delicate Balance
Tama and Ludwig drums Pastie cymbals Old zildjians and sabian cymbals
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Steve Ratchen
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Tom Engel
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Rob Schreiber
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Chris Fox
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BIOGRAPHY
Progressive Metal
Martin Morin (vocals on "A Delicate Balance" album 1999)
Bob Mitchell (vocals on "11:59:59" album 2003)
Steve Ratchen is endorsed by and uses Conklin 7-String GT-7 bass guitars exclusively; Chris Scorsese is endoresed by and uses Vater Sticks exclusively
DISCOGRAPHY
Album: 11:59:59
01. Shifting Images (1:42)
02. A Kiss Before Dying (7:49)
03. Renaissance (7:30)
04. The Dance (0:37)
05. Penance (5:02)
06. Reverie (0:28)
07. Interlude (More Real Than Real) (4:17)
08. Space Between Walls (0:31)
09. Beyond the Veil of Sorrow (5:01)
10. Looking Glass Memoirs (5:45)
11. 11:59:59 (4:36)
12. Afterimage (1:21)
13. The Dance (Reprise) (0:31)
01. Sister (8:20)
02. Emotion: Time & Resonance (4:01)
03. Emotion: Killing Thoughts (5:19)
04. The Sands of Time (8:11)
05. Alchemy (5:41)
06. Fatality Complex (7:25)
07. Requiem by Moonlight (6:52)
08. 7th Sign (4:28)
BAND MEMBERS
Chris Scorsese
Full Name: Chris Scorsese
Date of Birth: July 11, 1965
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
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-Drum Equipment:
Vater Sticks
Saluda Cymbals
Aquarian Drum Heads
Pearl Pedals
Gibraltar Cage Systems
Mackie Boards
Alesis DM5 Drum Machine
DBX Gate Compressor
Rane Mono and Stereo EQ.
Apple G4 Digital Performer
Behringer Board - Motu 2408
Behringer MX 8000 Eurodesk mixing console
behringer 1953 pre amps
Motu 2408 Recording Mics
Shure SM 57 Audix Mics
Shure Vocal KSM32/SL marshall MXL-V67
KRK-V 6 Studio Monitors
-Too many to list, I only care about Alchemy X.
Requiem By Moonlight
Cozy Powell, Neil Peart, John Bohnam, Scott Rockinfield, Mike Portanoy, Dave Weckl and many more...
Kid Rock, Arrson, Rush, Judas Priest, Led Zeppelin, Queensryche, Dream Theater, Pink Floyd, Ted Nugent, Police, Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Ozzy, Dio, Life of Agony, .FUCKING BIOHAZARD, Deftones, Slipknot, Fear Factory, Tapping Vein, Drill, Orange 9 mm
None at this time!
Full Name: Steven D Ratchen
Date of Birth: January 29, 1966
Place of Birth: Jersey City, New Jersey
Conklin Groove Tools 7 string bass
Conklin Bill Dickens model 7 string bass
Alesis QS6 Synth
Bass guitar for 19 years, guitar for 19 years, and keyboards/piano for 29 years.
Lead singer/bassist/keyboardist for Trinity 1985-87 same for Dominion 1988-91.
Sister because it shows all facets of our playing ability,stylistics and dynamics all in one song
Geddy Lee, John Entwistle, Steve Harris, Joey Dimaio J.S. Bach Other bands you listen to: Rush, Queensryche, Fates Warning, Marillion, Concrete Blonde, The Tea Party, Slayer, Kansas
I think Alchemy is a very apt moniker for this band, because we have all sacrificed a little of our personal thunder, so to speak, to synthesize the material into cohesive, yet complex compositions that work as "songs" as well as technically challenging pieces, both muscially and lyrically-but not so "over the top" that they alienate anyone who isn't a "musicians musician" I think that is what, perhaps, differentiates us from many, so-called progressive bands -this being said in all humility from someone not known for being humble.
Full Name: Tom Engel
Date of Birth: January 13, 1977
Place of Birth: Glen Ridge, New Jersey
Vocals..I use basically any microphone that I can wrap my manly hands around
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Mostly shit that never made its way out of the basement.
Check out EdFaust.Com and click on “Projects”. I'm Also working on various writing projects of my own.
'A Kiss Before Dying' and 'Renaissance'.
Russell Allen, James LaBrie, Geoff Tate, Devin Townsend, Billy Joel, Sebastian Bach, Ann Wilson, Freddie Mercury, Zak Stevens, Ray Alder, Rob Halford.
Symphony X, Dream Theatre, Queensryche, Skid Row, Heart, Queen, Enchant, Savatage, Pain of Salvation, Marillion, Rush, Yes, Kansas, Journey, Judas Priest, Fates Warning, Kamelot, Disturbed, Tool, Sevendust, AIC, Saliva, Shinedown, Faith No More, Genesis, Jethro Tull.
I just like to sing! Singing’s my favorite!
Full Name: Robert A. Schreiber
Date of Birth: September 11, 1970
Place of Birth: Marshfield, Wisconsin
Guitar-- Ibanez -6 & 7 String
Ovation -Acoustics, Yamaha -Nylon & 12 string Acoustics
Mesa Boogie Amps/Lexicon Gear/ anything that sounds good.... Long Live Gear!
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Too many to mention besides the one with my buds back home.. Vision -Hats off to Scott and Tony, you guys ROCK!! I couldn't have gotten this far without them to bitch to all the time.
Requiem By Moonlight/Kiss before Dying w/outro from the new CD..
In the early Days.. George Lynch, Paul Gilbert,Reb Beach, Eddy, Rhodes, as I've gotten on in my days... The obvious - Chris P. Fox - wit dem crissspy licks! John Petrucci, Steve Morse,Al DiMeola, Steve Travato, Robben Ford,& the list goes on and on... Anyone who makes the hair on my neck stand up!!!
Rush, Journey, Kansas,Dokken,Pink Floyd, Yes, Dream Theater, Fates Warning, Queensryche, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Charlie Daniels, ZZ Top, Robben Ford (Great Tone). Yanni, Green Day, Shania Twain (Whatababe) T.Bone Farruggio.
I can't thank God enough for giving me an ability to express myself through music and being able to share it with people in the world. Alchemy X is in such an early stage. We have barely begun to scratch the suface of our abilities as writers and musicians.. Through the years to come there will be much music made from these people and we hope to get it to you all.
It's in the making. but I would like to add a link to other projects I've done.. The Chris Wilson project is being recorded in april and Vision is going to re-release our demo CD with some new material! By then Alchemy X should have the 2nd CD done and I'll have a total of 4 under my belt! :) Just trying to make full use of the website.
Full Name: Christopher Fox
Date of Birth: March 27, 1968
Place of Birth: New York Fuckin' City
Ibanez 7-Strings
2 Custom built strats(ESP+Charvel)
Consciously-15yrs
No band comes before Alchemy X..LOL...a few that went nowhere
Sister for it's plethora of emotion, time changes,and styles and A Kiss Before Dying (on upcoming CD - basically Sister's cousin )
George Lynch,Steve Vai,Joe Satriani,John Petrucci,Edward Van Halen,Neil Schon,Rob Schreiber
Dream Theater, Rush, Journey, Korn, BIOHAZARD!!!, and tons of jazz/classical music
I would love to devote my time to just this project because we have so many thoughts, feelings, imagery, dreams & poetry...a lot of unfinished business to relay to the world.I would like to say that I hope the bands that are in the spotlight right now understand and make full use of the fact that they have been given a gift and understand how fortunate they are to have the opportunity to play to the world.