First impressions – An enjoyable heady type of music that mixes metal with classical. Being unfamiliar with Bach’s music I wasn’t initially sure what tracks were classical pieces and which were Alkaloid compositions. Although song titles like “Allegro (BWV 1052-I)”, “Adagio – All Is Vanity (BWV 1052-II)”, and “Agnus Dei (BWV 232)” I leaned more towards Bach, and with titles like “Cthulhu” and “Haunter of the Void” more Alkaloid, but it turns out it’s a mix of both. The combination of Johann Sebastian Bach, and the members of Alkaloid that have adapted these classical pieces into a modern metal style combining metal instrumentation with an orchestra. They’re not simply Bach’s music done as a metal band, but they actually take some ideas and themes in Bach’s music and apply it to Alkaloid, and it gives the album a really unique feeling. Not just orchestration over a metal song but more like a grand piece of music that converges both genres into one.

My favourite track of the album is “Cthulhu”, it was already one of my favourite Alkaloid songs, but hearing it with orchestration has added a new layer to it. I always appreciate the guitar insanity that goes on in that song. Something about Morean’s voice with the orchestration really makes this live album a different experience than other metal with classical I’ve heard before.

The epic “Haunter of the Void” is a cosmic journey from its mellow intro to the monolithic entity it becomes through orchestration, alongside Rianne Wilbers, Chrysa Tsaltampasi’s soprano vocals, the song becomes quite the journey clocking in at 10:11. It really combines metal and classical in an interesting way that hasn’t been done before, as far as I’m aware, Alkaloid really knows no boundaries.

The performance is a live recording from three separate performances in The Netherlands at Bibelot (Dordrecht) & Paard van Troje (The Hague), and it is truly a unique piece of music. I just hope they release a full DVD alongside the already released Haunter of the Void, and “The Fungi from Yuggoth” videos. The fact that it’s live doesn’t only capture a performed piece of music but a complete, in the moment experience with applause, shouts and communication from band members musically.

Some of the standout moments for me were Max Blok and Justin Hombach’s phenomenal guitar playing, particularly the diminished shreds in the first track “Allegro”. Morean’s vocals are always impressive to me, I like the variety in his voice from the low gutturals to the raspy pitch vocals. I also can’t forget to mention Hannes Grossmann’s drum solo towards the end of “The Fungi from Yuggoth” in a moment of chaotic perfection.

Ultimately this is an expertly crafted album that converges genres which admittedly do cross at times, but never in the same way that Alkaloid has done. Making “Bach out of Bounds” an album to keep in mind for the rest of the year.