News & Community

Long Live Burlesque!

November 13th, 2012

Burlesque is a musical performance commonly known for causing laughter, whilst taking on a serious side to entertain the audience. This genre of performance originated in the Victorian Era, regarded as a theatrical parody.

The performer(s) relied on the audience to understand the ‘mocking’ of other serious artists. When Burlesque first appeared at venues such as Cabarets, Clubs and Theatres, they often featured a female ‘striptease’ alongside elements of comedy which made the shows very diverse. In-fact since the 70’s, a number of big Hollywood movie producers tried to adapt the dramatic Burlesque scenes to feature in films. Some of these include the 1972’s ‘Cabaret’, and ‘All That Jazz’ which premièred in 1979. Costumes in Burlesque were categorised by some as very revealing, wearing stockings, feather boas, skirts above the knee and most importantly, corsets!

Burlesque continues to strive throughout the generations. The new acts of Burlesque such as Dita Von Teese, were influenced by movies and their curvy queens like Marilyn Monroe. With their big hair and fertile hips, these bombshells inspired women everywhere to exaggerate their own voluptuousness, and the corset especially was reborn.
Why not celebrate the long-lived Musical performance with our Corset Burlesque style choker? St.Cyr’s Delight (P587)..’An enticing revue of the Burlesque dancer’s talents. With ribbon lace-up front, black pearls and crystal heart. On deep red velvet with button fastener’

With Christmas just around the corner this would make a stunning gift or even a treat for yourself. Buy yours here to search our list of approved Alchemy Dealers: www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Exclusive Interview with Ben Carter!

November 8th, 2012

Ben wears a collection of Alchemy Metalwear items including the P623 Pentagration pendant; all available to order at www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Evile are an English Thrash Metal band and formed back in 2004. They have so far released three albums since then; ‘Enter The Grave’, ‘Infectious Nations’ and the recent 2011 album release of ‘Five Serpent’s Teeth’. They have been touring over the last few weeks and we have been lucky enough to catch up with drummer Ben Carter.

*First of all, would you be able to tell us a little bit about the band, and how you came to be?Evile are a Thrash Metal band from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. We started out as a covers band after Matt Drake and I became friends at school, and it kind of went from there. We had a similar interest in music, both wanted to play live, and it seemed very normal for us to start a band. We enlisted Matt’s brother Ol into the band, and then recruited Mike Alexander for the Bass duties, and the band was complete.

*You’ve been on quite a journey as a band since the early days. What would you say has been your personal highlight? We’ve had the pleasure of playing in some of the greatest places in the world, and seeing some amazing sights. We’ve met so many great people and toured with bands that we’ve grown up watching and idolising, so that in itself is greatly rewarding. I’d say my personal favourites are playing Download at Donington, which for me is the home of heavy metal in England. So many legendary bands have cut their teeth there; to be included in that list is amazing for me.

*Evile have supported some pretty awesome bands over the years such as Exodus, Machine Head and Megadeth, they must have been a real influence, which if any have had the greatest impact on you as a band?When we supported Machine Head and Megadeth, it was very early in our career, and we were very naïve about how a tour was run and how to conduct ourselves. We learned so much from watching those guys backstage, onstage, and behind the scenes that it helped us better ourselves and take that professionalism across into our own setup and work ethic. We were treated really well by those guys and that also helped us and made us feel appreciated on the tour.

*Although the band have been together for over 12 years, it wasn’t until the Bloodstock Festival of 2006 when you got your big break. How did all that come about? We never actively looked to get signed by a record label; we never sent out demos or EP’s to labels, nor did we set a timeline for getting recognised or signed etc. We just loved playing gigs, and getting as far afield as we could to spread our music around. I think it was this honesty in what we did and our work ethic that got us the slot at Bloodstock. We were over the moon to be playing, even more so when we found the head of Earache Records watched our set and was blown away. We had an email waiting for us on the Monday morning after the festival, and the rest kind of fell into place shortly after.

*Six years on, you’ve recently completed a headline UK tour, how do you feel that went? The headlining tour was fantastic, and we had the opportunity to play some songs we’d not previously let loose live, so that was interesting! Our fans always give us a warm reception and we made sure to play extra hard seeing as it might be a while until we tour the UK again.

*It must have been a proud moment playing at the Holmfirth Picturedrome, your home town, following the success of your 3rd studio album Five Serpent’s Teeth? It’s always good to go home and do shows, but the Picturedrome is extra special as it’s so close to all our families and friends, we know so many of them will come and support us, and just have a great night. It’s a fantastic venue too, being an old cinema, and has a really special aura to it. Seeing so many familiar faces still supporting what we do is great and makes you relax so much, they’re really enjoyable gigs there.

*As a band, you seem to still have a real enthusiasm for playing gigs, are there any plans in shape for 2013 yet? Hopefully, in 2013, Evile will continue to go from strength to strength; we are already booked to record our 4th Studio album with Producer extraordinaire Russ Russell, in February. We’ll be touring extensively worldwide, hopefully visiting some countries and territories we’ve not yet visited, and then fingers crossed, we’ll be doing our thing at festivals across the Uk and Europe. We’ll never lose that want to play live, and as long as people want to hear our music, we’ll do our damned best to deliver it to them! Long Live New Flesh!!

Check out Evile’s Full Set performance at Bloodstock festival 2012 below!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-AJwww-Nuk

Remembrance Sunday

November 6th, 2012

This Sunday, November 11th is Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day or Armistice Day), a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of the armed forces who have died in the line of duty. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,” in accordance with the Armistice, signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. (“At the 11th hour” refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.) World War I officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.

The remembrance poppy (a Papaver rhoeas) has been used since 1920 to commemorate soldiers who have died in war. Inspired by the World War I poem “In Flanders Fields”, they were first used by the American Legion to commemorate American soldiers who died in that war (1914–1918). They were then adopted by military veterans’ groups in the Commonwealth; especially Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. Today, they are mainly used in current and former Commonwealth states to commemorate their servicemen and women who have been killed since 1914. In those states, small artificial poppies are often worn on clothing on Remembrance Day/Armistice Day (11 November) and in the weeks before it. Poppy wreaths are also often laid at war memorials.

The remembrance poppy is especially prominent in the UK in the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday and are sold in supermarkets, shopping centres and on the street by The Royal British Legion for its “Poppy Appeal”.
 

Alchemy strongly support the work of the Royal British Legion, and their efforts to provide financial, social, political and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants. If like us you wish to donate to this years Poppy Appeal you can do so here

Alchemy Anniversary Keyring Winners!

November 2nd, 2012

Here at Alchemy we are celebrating 35 years since our formation and throughout the whole of October we asked fans on our Facebook page to Share & Like a competition post for a chance to win one of 35 limited edition anniversary keyrings.

The lucky winners can be found below:

Bartosz Rakowski
Betty Jones
Bev TwistedLassie Owen
Bodea Andrei
Brianna Freeman
Daniel Raymen
Eleanor Stafford
Frederic Fromont
Ingrid Debona
James Watson
Jarrod Macneil
Jay Parkins
Jennifer Bower
John Kovacs
Kaspar Peamehaanik Parmann
Kirsten Richards
Leanna Slade
Leslie Fuchs Blackburn
Lila Edgar
Manesh Kumar
Mark Alexander Furnival
Mia Fowler
Michael MadMic Adams
Michelle Wilson
Mik Gray
Rebecca S Harrison
Robert Tuggle
Rose Hewins
Roy Rich
Sabine Beck
Sarah Flood Houseworth
Sarah-Louise Tebbutt
Stephen Goss
Timothy McGranahan
Yang Li Ping

If you’re lucky enough to be a winner above you can claim yours by emailing: stephanie@alchemygroup.com with your name and address to receive!

Thank you for your participation!

Lacuna Coil Touring now!

October 26th, 2012

Lacuna Coil have been entertaining and inspiring crowds for 18 years now, since their formation in the city of Milan in 1994. The band were previously known as ‘Sleep of Right’ and then ‘Ethereal’ before settling on the name we all know so well Today, translated in English as Empty Spiral.

From such humble beginnings, they’ve grown to become one of the best-known European metal acts around today. Their sixth studio album ‘Dark Adrenaline’ was released earlier this year with rave reviews, and they are now currently performing around Europe in celebration of it.

Lacuna Coil have returned to the UK with their Dark Legacy tour, and are set to perform in Manchester tonight, before the final gig in London this Sunday. We at Alchemy are huge fans of the band and the feeling is mutual as they can often be found sporting items from the Alchemy England Apparel and Alchemy jewellery ranges both on and off stage.

Front woman Cristina Scabbia has an impressive range of Alchemy pieces – one of her favourites is The ‘Temptation of Havva’ necklace [P571]. She was also recently photographed wearing one of our statement pieces; the ‘Star of Ishtar’ ring [R162], which is enhanced by a star-cut Swarovski topaz crystal. The symbol represents the Babylonian goddess of love, war and sex and while we wouldn’t go so far as to suggest that Cristina ticks those boxes, there’s no denying she looks stunning in her Alchemy gear!

Cristina was recently featured in the Kerrang Magazine, wearing the latest additions to her ever expanding impressive collection of Alchemy treasures! She wears the ‘Upir’ Pendant [P584] accompanied by the ‘Hornets Nest’ Ear-Wrap [E303] [Both pictured below].

Want the Rock Goddess look? Visit the approved list of Alchemy dealers and order yours today!!! www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Lord Ruthven: Master of the night

October 25th, 2012

Lord Ruthven, brought to life in the titular piece “The Vampyre” is the quintessential master of the night. Known for death and debauchery, this bat-like cross brings to mind how his evil overcame the virtue of those who laid down as his victims, surrendering their lives as he strode on into immortality.

Hailed as one of the first vampires in English literature, Lord Ruthven was truly a dark depiction of the beautiful, terrifying, seductive creatures of the night as we know them in the present. Through the good-hearted Aubrey, he carved a treacherous, debauched path through London society; seducing and killing women until his own death – swearing Aubrey not to speak of him for a year and a day thereafter.

But of course, the vampyre does not stay silent for long. Setting his amorous intentions on Aubrey’s sister, seeking only to corrupt the good and pure, Lord Ruthven sent the man into a crazed breakdown in which all of Ruthven’s secrets were spilled… and he died under mysterious circumstances not long after.

 

The Ruthven Cross (P595) is a memorial, then – to those who lost their lives to Lord Ruthven’s lust, but also a testament to immortality, and darkness conquering all. To order yours online, please visit www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Jack The Ripper

October 23rd, 2012

Jack The Ripper is one of the world’s most well-known, yet mysterious serial killers with a name that speaks for itself!

The Ripper, who was linked to a chain of murders targeting female prostitutes in the Whitechapel district of London in 1888, often repeated the same mutilation to each victim. The five known victims are Mary Anne Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly.

The gruesome attacker removed the internal organs from at least three of the victims, so precisely that some people believed the killer was a Surgeon, or at least was familiar with the skills of autopsy.

He/She (as the gender of the killer is unknown) in fact named themself in a letter written to the media at that time, although many people considered this to be a hoax. In one of the letters, it included half a preserved kidney, which is one of the main reasons the serial killer was named ‘Jack The Ripper’.

The exact number of murders committed by the serial killer is still unknown. Largely due to lack of forensic facilities and knowledge back in the 19th century. Initially the Police conducted house-to-house enquiries throughout the area of the murders, and examined forensic material from the murder scenes. Shockingly over 2000 people were interviewed, of which more than 300 were personally investigated, and 80 were detained! Frustratingly none of this lead them to the killer. There are now over 100 theories about the Ripper case and the identity of this historical murderer still remain a mystery today!

In February of this year a ‘Jack The Ripper’ inspired pendant was included in our Spring collection, adapting the daunting and morbid tale, to create a Memorial piece to Whitechapel’s luckless victims. The ‘Jacks Tally’ pendant [P632] ‘features the bloodies knife purported to be the villain’s, and street signs of the five crime scenes with red crystal blood drops and Swarovski mourning stone…’

Order yours in time for Halloween by visiting our approved Dealers page at www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Radio 1 Rocks!!!

October 19th, 2012


 
This next week sees BBC Radio 1 celebrating all things rock music with a week of incredible, exclusive live performances from some of the biggest rock bands of the moment.

 

The radio station most commonly known for its championing of popular music, will be hosting 4 special rock themed evening shows from Monday 22nd until Thursday 25th October, co-hosted by Zane Lowe and the voice of Scuzz, Daniel P Carter. On top of the evening shows, which will be performed in front of a live audience at the famous BBC Maida Vale studios, the headliners from each Radio 1 Rocks night will be doing exclusive live lounge performances for Fearne Cotton every morning from 10am.

The bands featured throughout the week include; We Are The Ocean, While She Sleeps, Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine, Lower Than Atlantis, You Me At Six, Deap Vally, The Gaslight Anthem, Twin Atlantic and Biffy Clyro. With the later, guest hosts of the Radio 1 Rock Show from midnight on Monday.

Check out the full line-up below.

Monday 22nd, 7pm- 11pm

We Are The Ocean

While She Sleeps

Bring Me The Horizon

Bullet For My Valentine

Tuesday 23rd, 7pm-9pm

Lower Than Atlantis
 

You Me At Six
 

Wednesday 24th, 7pm-9pm

Deap Vally
 

The Gaslight Anthem
 

Thursday 25th, 7pm-9pm

Twin Atlantic

Biffy Clyro
 

Live lounge performances from 10am:

Monday – Bullet for My Valentine

Tuesday – You Me at Six

Wednesday – The Gaslight Anthem

Thursday – Biffy Clyro

Only 2 weeks to Halloween…What are your plans?

October 17th, 2012

When it comes to haunted houses and ghostly gatherings, there are many popular venues to choose from around the UK. Here are a couple to get you in the mood for Halloween!

In London’s East End, The Ten Bells Pub is said to be haunted not only by the ghost of murdered Victorian man. It’s also linked to serial killer Jack The Ripper as it was the drinking hole of his very last victim Mary Kelly.

 

A little further north, Oxford Castle is considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in the country. It’s been associated with ghosts and poltergeists and even served as a prison for just over 900 years! But one of the most famous tales revolves around the curse of 1577, where hundreds of people mysteriously died within the space of a few weeks.

 

Whether you’re planning a spooky sojourn this Halloween or just staying in to watch scary movies, Alchemy has a great range of products to get you in the mood. Why not complement your Dark Gothic outfit with our coffin shaped ‘Bone Casket’ leather handbag [LG36]. Or for something a little more subtle wear our chic ‘Deception’ pendant [P645] ; a fanged skull mask enhanced by red and blue enamel and Swarovski crystals. We all hope you have a spooktacular Halloween!

You can order yours online, and many other Halloween styled Alchemy Pieces by clicking the link to our Approved Alchemy Dealers: www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Come Into My Parlour….

October 11th, 2012

In this dramatic, chilling fossil, an arachnid was trapped in amber, just as it was about to devour a wasp, some hundred million years ago. Amber has been employed to make jewellery and other items of beauty since Neolithic times. But it also has great scientific interest that stretches even further back into pre-history. For amber – formed from fossilised tree resin – can preserve examples of ancient animal and plant forms from long before man walked the earth. There can be few more striking – and simultaneously sinister and fascinating – examples than this ancient struggle, frozen forever from when dinosaurs ruled the earth, and recently discovered in the South-East Asian nation of Myanmar:

‘This juvenile spider was going to make a meal out of a tiny parasitic wasp, but never quite got to it,’ explains Professor George Poinar Jnr. in the journal Historical Biology. ‘This was a male wasp that suddenly found itself trapped in a spider web. This was the wasp’s worst nightmare, and it never ended. The wasp was watching the spider just as it was about to be attacked, when tree resin flowed over and captured both of them.’ The Professor, an expert in such finds from Oregon State University, is excited by the dramatic discovery as it is the earliest example of a spider capturing its prey thus far uncovered. There’s also a little poetic justice there, as the ancestors of the wasp frozen here in amber now prey on spiders…

While we can’t deny that the fossil’s a little creepy, even icky, there also something profoundly beautiful about the colours of the amber, and captivating about the fatal moment suspended for such unimaginable lengths of time. There is something simultaneously terrifying and enchanting about arachnids that transcends time, and that our designers at Alchemy keep being drawn to. Just like our poor unsuspecting wasp… Take, for example, the Incy Wincy Forme Hand-Ring(R177), which uses its uncanny eight-legged elegance as the basis for an Art-Deco accessory. Or why not go for the Nidus cuff stud earring (E193), a ‘grotesque spider, chained to its fine lined web’..

 

Order yours online and many other Alchemy products here:www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Rock ‘N’ Roll with Elvis

October 9th, 2012

Elvis Presley died in 1977, or to put it another way, has now been dead for as long as Alchemy have been established!
Elvis Presley still retains his title as the king of Rock ‘N’ Roll.
This year, more than 75,000 people have turned out for a Vigil at his Graceland Mansion! Many events are to be staged this year in honour of ‘The King’. Elvis Presley’s hits include; ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘Hound Dog’. Famous not only for his vocals, Elvis was also a great actor, and has inspired many artists to this day.

Why not celebrate and pay tribute to ‘The King’ by ‘Takin’ Care o’ Business’ with the Elvis inspired Alchemy pendant (ULP26, shown below)..

This black enamelled neck thong, with its fully modelled skulls, echoes the famous Elvis icon; with tattoo style ‘UL13’ branding & plaited leather thong..
To order yours online, search our list of our approved Alchemy Dealers here: www.alchemyengland.com/buy

Become an Alchemy dealer

October 5th, 2012

Have you ever thought about becoming an Alchemy dealer? Whether you currently run a shop or webstore, or you are simply thinking of an extra or alternative income stream, Alchemy’s vast range of product and global popularity could be just what you are looking for!

Under the uberbrand Alchemy1977, Alchemy are the UK’s all-round alternative lifestyle-mongers, offering an unprecedented choice from a range of collections in one all purpose catalogue. Alchemy’s pedegree, background-history and long-experienced creative craftsmanship gives you everything you want to refine and indulge your own personal tastes.

Here at Alchemy we are wholeheartedly dedicated to the marketing of the brand to the benefit of all our dealers! With our increased marketing efforts, ever growing Licensed range of products and endorsements by such highly recognised bands as Five Finger Death punch, Lacuna Coil and The 69 Eyes, We have gained an enormous following the world over, with over 40,000 fans now liking our Facebook page! So there is no better time than now, to come on board and reap the rewards of stocking a range of UK manufactured products from a highly successful well recognised brand which is continuing to grow from strength to strength each year!

When becoming an Alchemy dealer, your will be designated an account manager who will oversee the whole order process, taking personal care of your account and every need, offering as much advice as possible.

To find out more about becoming an Alchemy dealer, please visit our trade website www.alchemygroup.com and fill in the online registration form to receive our trade pack in the post, and login details to the site.

A Dark Engagement

October 4th, 2012

At once a piece of sumptuous design and a token of dark affection, many tales surround the Dark Engagement as a symbol of an undying love that can never be. Whispers and rumours tell of a wealthy young man and a woman born of working class so deeply in love that they had eyes only for each other, wishing only to marry and make their union complete despite fierce disapproval from all sides and an era in which class divides made such a longing impossible.

Presenting her with this offering of betrothal, the young man promised to run away and elope with her on the condition that she wear the ring always, for the dark blue crystal within would only keep its rich colouring when worn by one completely in love. And run away they did, in the dead of night while prying eyes were sound asleep – though none know how their story ends. Decades after the ring was recovered, no trace has ever been found of the illicit couple, as though they have fallen out of time and recollection altogether…

A regally familiar, most authentically beautiful and stunning Swarovski crystal ‘sapphire and diamond’ engagement ring, but with artfully saturnine undertones. To treat yourself or a love one visit www.alchemyengland.com/buy to order online through our recommended dealers.

Night of the Voting Dead!

October 2nd, 2012

We generally steer clear of politics here at Alchemy, but we couldn’t help but feel inspired by the latest candidate to throw their hat into the ring for the upcoming US Presidential elections. The only nominee to represent the interests of the undead, Mr A. Zombie has been attracting high profile coverage from such media outlets as USA Today and Fox News, in order to broadcast his post-mortem agenda. However, as his speech is mostly confined to worryingly hungry moans, articulating Zombie’s policies has largely fallen to his still-living (and doubtless very understanding) wife, Patti Morgan-Zombie. Such as his stance on unemployment, where Zombie vows to “strive to increase America’s workforce… even if it kills me. Again.”

Employing the living dead to deliver a serious message is nothing new. The classic horror flicks by zombie king, film director George Romero, have all featured a heavy dose of social and political satire beneath all the gore and gut-munching. Most controversially, ‘Homecoming’, the December 2005 episode of the Masters of Horror TV series, portrayed America’s war dead rising from their graves to vote a pro-war presidential candidate out of office. In the case of A. Zombie’s current presidential campaign, however, the aims are rather less lofty, as it’s actually a publicity stunt to try and convince the US Dish Network to reinstate the popular horror series The Walking Dead.

While none of us outside of the USA can vote for any of the Presidential Candidates, living or otherwise, we can still show our support for our undead friends in other ways. Here at Alchemy we can offer a wide range of accessories guaranteed to turn heads at the most exclusive graveyard soirees. For example, might we suggest the Nosferatu’s Hand belt buckle (B24) as a suitably ghoulish style statement? Or for something a little more elegant and eerie, the Dead Man’s Cuff (A61) bracelet will enchant every discerning necrophile, the ideal accessory for that chic Chanel shroud…

You can buy yours, and other Alchemy Possesions by searching for your local Alchemy Dealers here!..http://www.alchemyengland.com

The Dark Season Is Approaching…Halloween!

September 28th, 2012

This Monday will be October 1st and October for many of us can only mean one thing… Halloween. What does Halloween mean to you? Does it mark the dark season, or is it just simple fun for the kids. A time to dress up, decorate, carve pumpkins and scare the living day lights out of their friends by telling the scariest stories that their little minds can imagine, or maybe all of these things?

Halloween or All Hallows Eve, as it is sometimes referred to, began way back when Pagan rituals around harvest time included festivals honouring the dead. Of which in some faiths are still practised today.

These days Halloween has become a time for celebration all around the world. These celebrations include collecting sweets and gifts from neighbours houses or as it is commonly named trick or treating! Apple bobbing, making toffee apples and wearing the most grotesque costumes possible! Here is a particularly strange ritual dating back to the 1900’s. If an unmarried woman sat in darkened room in front of a mirror on the evening of Halloween, the face of her future husband would appear. However, if they were destined to die before they married a skull would appear!

Whatever way you choose to celebrate, have fun and enjoy. We, here at Alchemy, would love to see pictures of you in your darkest dress. Please send them to us, you never know you may be featured on our Facebook page. Don’t forget the finishing touch though……. Your favourite piece of Alchemy!

Check out some of our spooky selections below! All of which are available to order by visiting our recommended dealers page at www.alchemyengland.com/buy


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