Alex Domian is a hidden gem.

The songwriter, whose work incorporates psychedelic, alternative rock, and even some shades of metal, has released a handful of songs on his SoundCloud page.

The Cosmic American was fortunate enough to hear a handful of some of the recordings he’s made over the years.

The grit of Domian’s voice works well on an effective cover of Bob Dylan’s “Meet Me in the Morning.” It’s given a spacey treatment with some almost Hendrix-like guitar and far out synths.

Big, ‘90s alt.rock guitar opens “Trigger,” and the feel continues throughout. It’s a little funky and has a great beat, with a bit well-placed of grunge-y sludge to give it an edge. The big, catchy chorus that comes out of nowhere evokes epic 70s rock. I could easily imagine this being a lot hit on 90s alt.rock radio.

With its quiet-loud-quiet structure, “My Flower” again evokes 90s alt.rock, but it certainly isn’t copying – it has the same life as the best hits of that era. It’s like Soundgarden, only better, in that it’s a bit more fuller sounding.

Things get heavy with “Witch on a Stick Broom.” It has a spacey, psychedelic feel, but with a heavy edge thanks to the layers of guitars, and one of his best solos. Think Alice in Chains spacier moments.

Epic “Devil Level” is Domian’s most ambitious tracks, and it works on every level. The sludge-y guitars and melody are 90s rock meets psychedelic, while the ebb and flow of the track makes it his most interesting.

A sister song of “Devil Level” is another epic track, “Elephant.” The transitions from rock sections to slower, more emotive parts is done effectively. I’ve always loved long songs that are usually album tracks, that fans love but casual listeners don’t usually know, and this fits the bill. Well worth your time.

The layers of guitars on “Dragonfly” give it a haunting, foreboding feel, something like The Door’s “The End.” This is the most classic rock sounding track of Damian’s, it’s a total trip.

Those used to Domian’s more alternative leanings will be surprised, in a good way, by “Crooked,” which is an all-out aural assault, with double kick drums and everything. It’s quite metal, in perhaps a Metallica vein, but the arrangement is a little more reigned in than a lot of their similar songs, and that’s a good thing. Domian’s melody and vocals are also more low key than most metal which makes it stand out as well. Another scorching solo on this one.

Many artists who ask me to review their albums aren’t as good as they think they are. They have grandiose ideas about themselves that just don’t fit the more humble stature of their music. Interestingly, Alex Domian, who doesn’t seem to want the attention, makes some of the better underground music I’ve heard since beginning The Cosmic American this year.