Tria Prima - Three Primes Of Alchemy

Ukraine’s Tria Prima formed just a year ago, but are already impressing listeners with their multi-faceted approach to Metal. A mix of Symphonic Death Metal, Groove Prog, and even Doom Metal, their debut EP “Three Primes Of Alchemy” is a brief trilogy to demonstrate each facet. The lineup consists of Serhii on vocals and bass, Yuri on drums, and Ruslan on vocals and guitar as well as sharing keyboards with Serhii for a near operatic experience. Those who like bands that can switch on a dime to sounding like Septicflesh to Obituary will be impressed with what they have to offer.

Opening with symphonic dramatics on ‘Solar Sulfur’ and guest operatic vocals, one can feel a bit of the Septicflesh and Cradle of Filth touches here, but they are broken up here and there by the furious smatter of drums, barked growls, and rumbling riffs backed by bass. The solos are quite melodic and add a bit of Melodeath aspect to the music. Then there is the more Groove metal oriented side with some almost Eastern touches to the riffs with ‘Philosopher’s Mercury’ and a proggy side with the psychedelic approach to the riffs and a catchy bounce to the chugs. Vocals are more varied between a scream and growls, but the bass is the big attraction here along with the keyboards as it has that Beyond Creation warble to it. Then the Doom elements come in more with ‘Witchcraft Salt’ which is lumbering, haunting with the keyboards and samples almost in a dungeon synth kind of way like one would expect from Order of Nosferat, and overall another different tone for the band, but all the more engaging.

With only 3 tracks but so much going on, there is a lot to be excited for. At the same time when delivering such a loaded sound, when it comes to the more basic Death Doom approach as they cover Asphyx’s ‘Deathhammer’ it almost seems like a bit of letdown as it sounds so basic and lacking the grandiosity that helped the other tracks sound boosted and really show off what Tria Prima has to offer. The basic riff structures sound similar to the more meaty bits of the tracks which show the band’s Old School Death Metal core (but less fuzzy than what one would expect from the likes of Entombed and touching more on Obituary) but after a bit of repetition it can be tiring. Thankfully, there is so much else in the tracks to remind listeners how Tria Prima elevate their music and hopefully future releases will be just as full and rewarding to listen to. This EP will leave one wondering and wanting more.

4 / 5 STARS