REVIEW: Fornax Chemica’s Debut Album Chemical Furnace

4 Stars.

Fornax Chemica’s debut album Chemical Furnace is 50 minutes of solid instrumental musicianship inspired by ancient Inca culture and deep space.

The Auckland trio recorded their album at RadioStar Studios in California, where it was produced by Sylvia Massey (Tool, RHCP, Johnny Cash) and mastered by John Golden (Primus, Sonic Youth and The Melvins).

Chemical Furnace sounds like a blend of Tool-esqe progressive metal riffs and atmospheric post-rock. With only four tracks, three of which are over 10 minutes long, this isn’t the most accessible album in the world. But I don’t think the band is too concerned about having an audience of screaming 13 year olds either.

The title track starts off with a small atmospheric introduction before leading into a catchy riff that reappears throughout the song and ends with a chugging heavy finale at the 11 minute mark.

Right from the beginning its obvious Corey Friedlander, Simon Ross and Caleb Thompson are great musicians with their psychedilic interludes and technical prowess.

Accelerated Decreptitude is possibly my favourite song on the album as I love the impressive bass-line supported by fretboard wizardry, which reminds me of another favourite band, Cynic. I can’t understand why some bands hide their Bass under the other instruments.

My only minor complaint is the seven minutes of atmospehric sound effects at the end of the track which seems a little excessive and most people will skip after the first listen.

There is only so much you can say about an instrumental album. But I have my own favourite personal moments on each song, from the quick solo at the half-way point of Seismic Charge to the drumming on O.H Kril.

At times haunting, gloomy and exciting. This is a great debut album.

Side note: You have to see them in concert as well. With their impressive drum solos, gold painted contortionists and atmospheric visual effects they remind me of a live-cross between Quo Vadis and Tool.

Let’s just hope our tiny music industry doesn’t kill their passion as this band has definitely brought something unique and intersting to our local sound.

Check the band out on their myspace for more information myspace.com/fornaxchemica

Review by Jimmy Ness.