Grey Shack’s Great Big Comeback: ‘Alchemy’ Album Review

Alchemy 

Self-released

★★★½

Not nearly out of the game ever, Chennai rock band Grey Shack use the tremoring guitar lines à la AC/ DC on the opening song “Devotion,” one that kicks their second album Alchemy into just the right gear.

As can’t-fail purveyors of hard rock, blues and rock & roll, Grey Shack can be counted among the more electric showmen in the country, but Alchemy seems a little more even-tempered. While “Devotion” packs it all in for a six-minute rollercoaster ride, they get heavier on “Transitions,” Conrad Simmons’ bass thundering with drummer Ramkumar Kanakarajan as vocalist Rohan Sen soars and snarls. Sen leaves the band on a high note, leaving big showmen shoes to fill for the band’s new vocalist Prashanth Oliver, who was announced as the new member last month.

‘Alchemy’ album artwork by Aadithyan Mohan K

New material has been in the works for nearly four or five years (probably longer), so there are spaces where the band sticks to their hard rock basics (“Chemical”) but then they add a fun harmonic portion on “Make Yourself,” latching onto vocal hook and running with it on “Look Around,” and save the typical ballad “Light Her Up” from being just that with strong harmonies.

There’s serpentine riffage (“The Waiting Games”) and pleasing rock laced with brutal drumming on “Chivalry,” but Alchemy remains one for the diehard rock & roll fans. The biggest win for Grey Shack is they manage to infuse rage and have fun with it whenever they want.

Get the album here.