Alchemist british power metal band 1985-1991

alchemist was a British power metal band formed in 1985 by bass player Paul Green and drummer Antony Marshall. originally from Monk fryston in North Yorkshire the band stepped up a gear when Antony moved to Flamborough in east Yorkshire. Recruiting Guitar players Nik Schofield and Craig Fletcher and Vocalist Ricky Day. the band had a specialist practice room built for them in late 1989 and from that point they really took off. There first gig was booked just 6 weeks after there first ever practice a fact exacerbated by the fact Ricky Day had not yet joined. the first song written was perennial set opener Soothsayer. this was follower by crowd favorites Tiananmen Square, Nations Health, Built Upon Sand, and Ravens of war. after the first gig singer Ricky Day Left to,as the band puts it 'Pursue his love of good Drugs' and After A support stint with British Thrash Metal Band Reanimator and German's Extreme Noise on which lead guitar Player Nik Schofield sang they Recorded Former Roadie Steve Barker. At this time also Guitar player Craig Fletcher was Fired and Bridlington Based Guitar Player Stuart Gilliland replaced him so forming what is widely regarded as the 'Classic' Line up.

Alchemist recorded in total 9 demos and were never afraid to tackle difficult subjects Built upon sand (Drugs), One by One (teenage suicides), Catalogue of Disasters (environmental issues),Stick and Stones (bullying),Raven of War (the hopelessness of war), and The Classic Lighter shade of Darkness (depression).

Continuing until early 1991 the band eventully disbanded when work commitments and life in general took over. They had attracted interest from Food Records, Roadrunner Records, and Music for Nations in there short life span and although ultimately unsuccessful there songs remain as relevant today as they were then.

As a foot note to all this in 1993 the members of the last incarnation of the band (with the exception of Stuart Gilliland who could not be contacted) Briefly Formed a Hardcore Band Named Rhythm of Fear. Recording a Self titled Demo in 2 days they promptly sold nearly a 1000 copies and had requests for additional material from 2 Major Record Labels. Again they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and the deals offered were not attractive enough.

the Classic line up met up in 2007 for the first time in 16 years and hope to met in 2008 and play a live gig playing both Alchemist and Rhythm of Fear Songs.

Today the members are all in good health.

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