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Recorded and mixed between February 2006 and August 2006 at the MiniMinus Studio
Composed & Realized by Rene van der Wouden
Since more than 2000 years Alchemists all over the world have spent all their time, effort and mostly themselves to the great Goddess of Alchemia. She demanded from them a lot, but gave more in return to those who had the courage and the talent to become one of her elected sons. In their search to wisdom, spiritualization and the eternal life, the Alchemists stepped across the borders of all conventions, natural sciences, religion and reason. Although they never may have changed the base metals into silver or gold and they never acquired immortality, human chemistry saw its light in their laboratory. And when Surrealism was borrowed from their way of life and world of arts, the main goal of the Alchemists has always been to shine on that, to what all people may searching for, the Self of the Human Spirit. As Carl Young said: "Heaven has become an empty space to mankind". May the heavens of the Alchemists be the opposite to that. Through the true glass of alchemy, far across the heavens, strengthened with golden dreams of silver elements, the Alchemists, while the Self already gone to earth thru the books of minerals, will help you to explore your very own imagination.
Press Information 2006
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Delicate tapestries of feathery electronic textures unfurl, spreading to fill the sky overhead with regal splendor. The tonalities waft with fragile vigor, trembling with ambient restraint as they soothe the ears of all within reach. After an extended intro of nebulous calm, notes sweep into the mix, coloring the heavens with stately cycles that generate the genesis of greater things to come. These tentative chords usher the listen along into a corridor of celestial proportion, one rich with astral pulsations and mounting energy. The pace accelerates as notes cavort with auspicious jubilation.
As the music progresses, its promise takes root with an accretion of stamina oozing from the embrace of the heavenly airs. Power surges and the melody becomes swept up in a cascade of nimble-fingered keys creating a regal disposition of infectious quality.
Deeper notes enter the flow, seasoning the high altitude harmonics with an earthy foundation. The audience finds themselves stretched between land and sky, and fanciful chords tickle the torso as they scamper into existence, coalescing into riffs of congenial demeanor. Gradually, these midrange melodies conquer the environment, transforming the soundscape into a terrain of dynamic pulsations peppered with twinkling embellishments. The currents of sound thicken into luscious layers that stream with vibrant animation.
Sparkling chords rise through a region of sparse sedation, preparing the listener for a deluge of glistening fashion. The notes vibrate with sincerity, generating a soft buzzing undercurrent that lifts the melody to stratospheric majesty. Only during the cd's finale does percussion enter the mix, providing a lasting propulsion that will imbue the audience with a velocity that outlives the music's last endearing chord.
Van der Wouden's music is steeped in grandeur, the type that strives to open intangible doors inside the audience's heads and grant consciousness access to the incredible imaginative resources contained within.
2006. Matt Howarth / Sonic Curiosity
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After the superbly melodious Pro Sequentia, René Van Der Wouden offers an opus a little more different. Definitely more complex, with its very heteroclite intros, Alchemia is an album with slow movements, charming which we listen the body and the spirit down to 0. Not cause it is deeply relieving! No. Because it is well done.
It is delicate, full of subtleties and we have to hear these movements impressed of tenderness and nostalgia, as on The True Glass of Alchemia, an ambient title of an astonishing attraction. Divided into 2 parts, the intro is a slow synthetic movement which develops with subtle modulations. Synth floats in harmonious nothingness. In this space where silence is lulled by fluctuating layers, hide short melodies which come and go, leaving melancholic traces with each celestial lament. A superb movement, full of an incredible sensitivity. In half-time, the rhythm wakes up gently with a series of limpid notes which draws a hypnotic sound arc. A new series of notes is indexed with those in place, stimulating a more complex sequence, which curves with insistence in a rotary minimalism sphere. This sublime sequence modulates its intonations, among sound effects and explosions, before the sequence takes a spring, where the chords pile up and create a harmonious confusion. A bewitching title that draws the depth of his beauty in the shade of his creamy and melodious layers.
Far Across the Heavens has a intro strongly variegated with its vaporous jets, surrounded of tuneful segments, of scattered tablas percussions. Space waves which flood a static universe, where is formed a loopy sequence which undulates among a dark choral and one spectral synth, with acute laments. Ideal as a soundtrack for an intense horror movie. Like an insane goblin, the sequence rolls with frenzy accentuating the minimalism impulsion which splits up on a harmonious synth, to invading layers. Notes circle, a little like a xylophone, to form a serpentine sequential movement which will scheme in harmony throughout Golden Dreams of Silver Elements. Synthetic pads float and stretch their breaths on other notes which fly around fine pulsations. Floating, the tempo is in rollercoaster on a heavy sequencer which bores in a flooded atmosphere of melodious segments which curve a disconcerting fixity. After a short atmospheric intro, The Alchemists extends its melody with a superb harmonious sequence. Nimble and limpid notes wind with grace an impulsion to multiple loops, with good slamming percussions and beautiful synth with solos that draw dreams. The Alchemists is certainly one of the beautiful tracks in 2006.
A long atmospheric breath, to which are grafted discrete choirs, prepare the rhythmic intro on clapping percussions of Gone to Earth thru the Book of Minerals. A very electronic title with the spirit of the beautiful rhythmic analog incursions of the 70’s, on a moulding synth with superb melodious lines.
As we can hear Alchemia is a bit different from Pro Sequentia. It is a more progressive opus which requires an attentive listening, to be certain to catch all of its nuances. And, as all the great works, there is always a new click to each listening, capturing our hearing for another listening session. Undeniable sign of a work of great vintage.
2006. Sylvain Lupari / Canada
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Rene van der Wouden follows up his sequencer drenched first album with another effort full of rhythmic/ melodic energy. This time the music and arrangements contain more sophistication and layers of synthetic enhancements. The overall sound is fuller, more powerful, and filled with layers of spatial textures and rippling/ pulsing sequences that make this one of the best recent Euro indie EM releases of late 2006.
2007. Archie Patterson / Eurock USA
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Alchemia is René Van Der Wouden's second album, and though different from Pro Sequentia, it's every bit as good. This time, René takes a more thoughtful approach to the melody. There's still sequencers here, just a bit more subdued. The music is every bit as complex as Pro Sequentia, just a bit more spacey, more atmospheric. Again, there are five long pieces, with lots of room for René's wonderful melodies.
A nice addition to anyone's collection, particularly for those who like Jean Michel Jarre or Vangelis.
2007. Scott Raymond / NY/USA
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Sweet, drifting space music begins the 20-minute epic “The True Glass of Alchemy,” which opens René van der Wouden’s Alchemia. Several minutes are spent in dreamy reverie, light and bright, full of warm pleasant tones. At the 10:30 mark the Berlin school sequencing starts simple and slow. It adds a double stutter step into the loop just before the 14:00 point, then changes again a half a minute later, continuing to meander its way patiently through. Eventually it doubles its pace for that classic retro sound, with warm pads in the background to complete a satisfying piece. Windswept synths start off “Far Across the Heavens,” joined by bubbly sequencing and nice flute sounds. More sequencing is layered in, as is a slow, simple but effective bass line. Completing the effect is a melodic synth lead line.
“Golden Dreams of Silver Elements” again makes me think of bubbles as the light, brisk sequencing starts. All the sounds are thoroughly electronic. Gurgling churning noises introduce “The Alchemists” but it too settles into the pattern of bright melodic synths and sequencing. The last track epitomizes the whole album nothing fancy, not too fast or too slow, with a sunny outlook on things.
The emphasis throughout Alchemia is on keeping things upbeat and moving. Nothing wrong with that.
2007. Phil Derby / Electroambient Space
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"The True Glass Alchemy" begins with mysterious synth pads that set the tone for this moody piece of music. Very soon, bass notes are added, flowing in smooth waves. Excellent atmospheric music! Some effects and samples are applied to great effect. New sounds are added, together with layered synth pads. If you're looking for interesting atmospheric EM - this is it. Little by little, a sequence creeps in subtly, gradually gaining in volume and intensity. However, it remains relatively simple, while the main attraction of this track are the atmospherics. I must also mention that excellent melodic section that comes towards the end of this track. Floating atmospheric EM at its best.
"Far Across the Heavens" begins with some strange effects and windy synths. Soon, a catchy melody develops, having an almost ethnic flair to it. The melody is then supported by a pulsing bass synth that transforms into a nice, albeit fairly static, sequence. Another higher-register sequence joins and we are riding on one roller-coaster of an EM track. A third sequence appears, supported by a strong bass and a nice distant melody. Nice work!
In the beginning of "Golden Dreams of Silver Elements" we hear wind sounds, a mallet-like sequence and a mysterious melody. The sequence then mutates, with low-register notes added. However, it's all pretty whimsical so far. The melody has something of a Tangerine Dream-y quality to it. It's a nice track for those relaxed moments. Nice use of Mellotron string ensemble sounds as well. Towards the end, the sequence becomes fairly intense.
"The Alchemists" enter with heavy effects. A brilliant emotional sequence arrives, supported by a simple but effective three-note melody. It's rather straightforward but very effective. A steady electronic rhythm serves as the backbone, as the sequences mutate and various melodies come and go.
"Gone To Earth Through the Book of Minerals" begins with excellent Mellotron choirs and solemn symphonic synths. A sequence develops, as synth flute play a bright melody. Some hi-hats appear, supporting the sequence. This is EM with bright and crisp arrangements.
If you liked Rene's debut album, you might as well like "Alchemia". On this album, he refined his arrangement skills and added a few really effective melodic hooks. An enjoyable listen! Best track: "The Alchemists".
2008. Artemi Pugachov / The Encyclopedia of Electronic Music