Chemical Furnace Album Review

Out of the atmospheric darkness erupts Fornax Chemica like a lava flow of burning brilliance. Deep aggressive rhythms and monumental musical structures carry you along on a tidal wave of diverse dynamics reminiscent of Alchemist, Isis or our very own Sora Shima. At times originality plays a secondary role to the bands avant-garde interpretation of Tool-like musical progressions. That being said there is no denying that the four-track full length CD entitled Chemical Furnace has combined the best audio nuances into a blistering instrumental maelstrom of high fidelity comparable to none.

The bands debut album was recorded at Radiostar Studios in California and produced by Sylvia Massy (Tool, RHCP, Johnny Cash) and mastered by John Golden (Primus, Sonic Youth and The Melvins). One can’t help but be impressed with the production line up. I would surmise that the sole reason for involving such experience is for the music itself as any mainstream commercial viability is somewhat hindered by song lengths and the lack of a vocalist. In my opinion, being far removed from commercialised mainstream music is the albums most endearing feature.

The total dedication to the art-form by band members Corey Friedlander, Simon Ross and Caleb Thompson is patently obvious with the seriously intricate song structures of the first and self-titled track Chemical Furnace and the fourth and last track entitled Accelerated Decrepitude. Large not only in length, these two songs maintain a powerful and driven force throughout with a method of guitaring that at times is haunting and questioning and then dark and frightening while the drums explore variances from funk and jazz to doom and death metal. Exceptional performances, majestic and tightly tied together with effective bass lines that are sometimes slow burning with menace and then fast and devastating like a pyroclastic flow.

Fornax Chemica has mastered the psychedelic with seamless progressions to warp the senses and defy logic. With fantastic artwork, exceptional instrumentation, incredible clarity and recording warmth, this CD ticks all the boxes. Enhanced by excellent packaging, their epic and conceptual release is a must have for anyone who wants to get in on the ground floor of a band who appear to have no limits and a bright future. If the debut is anything to go by, Fornax Chemica’s following releases will be much anticipated by those appreciative of musical talent and quality production.

It’s good! Go get it.