”Alchemy” is a new released album (2012) by Prkos Drumski. It is a document of the three years long journey, close friendliness and the creative interaction in the most creative period of band existence. Some of the songs are concert standards for a long time, some are crafted in the moment of inspiration and never been performed alive and some are already recorded and released in a different versions. Unified on the album ”Alchemy” they are valuable collection of the small musical-poetic relics and in the same way precious memory on the one thrilling adventures incarnation of the band that could not stay together in the same companionship cause of geographical causality, but could always give something more and constantly change.

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When I met Serbian band PRKOS DRUMSKI (prkosdrumski.bandcamp.com) last year they were already in a state of transition. Change was in the air following the recording of their third album, Alhemija (VIGVAM) ***** and it is the sound of a band reaching the point of evolution. The album opens with the sound of falling rain and the rumbling of thunder and this introduces the rather beautiful acoustic ballad 'Pesama Poj' – like the sun breaking through storm clouds and warmth replacing cold.

The song, like many others on the album, has a gently insistent, mantra-like quality and is built around a tenderly plucked, repeating guitar figure. A lone female vocal is joined by others in intimate harmony before a male vocal begins a mesmerising chant like ancient-sounding Native Americans around a camp fire.

On the following track, 'Šaman' the roles are reversed with female vocals taking up the chanting and band chief, Miloš Zubac, taking the lead vocal. 'Šaman' also includes the introduction of hypnotic electric guitar and percussion. The sound is slightly harder but only slightly. Nevertheless, 'Šaman' could be the first Prkos Drumski dance track. It is simply impossible to prevent your body moving when listening to the track.

The breadth of instrumentation on this album is far greater than the band's previous works, which lends a lot of sonic variety to the project. Some tracks include lengthy instrumental sections with dream-like qualities that draw the listener into the depth of each piece. Given the right frame of mind it is easy to get lost in and leave the world behind for an hour or two. Each track is an individual masterpiece distinct from the others.

The wistful instrumental 'Vilindar' is a million miles away from the achingly beautiful ballad 'Kap Po Kap' and yet both songs are mesmerising in different ways, perfectly complementing each other. Prkos Drumski is my favourite band of the last five years or so. Three precious albums in a row is quite an achievement. Long may they continue to strive for the impossibly beautiful...

Eddie Cooney / for United Kingdom music R2 Magazine (Rock'n'Reel)
November/December 2012 Issue (No 36)
(www.rock-n-reel.co.uk)