19 May 2013
UsernamePassword

Remember Me? | Join | Recover
Click here to sign in via social networking

Fornax Chemica - Chemical Furnace Album Review

01 Jul 2010 // A review by River

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.

Chemical Furnace
View Track Listing
Share on MySpace  

About Fornax Chemica

Fornax Chemica are a progressive, instrumental three-piece post rock act from Auckland, New Zealand.

Conceptually, the band explore themes centered on deep space and science fiction; with a particular emphasis on Incan scientific and space exploration philosophies and imagery. Fornax Chemica are not afraid to wear their thematic influences on their sleeves, and cite everything from the aforementioned cultures of South America to Dune, Blade Runner and Star Wars as key sculptors of their highly exploratory sonic landscape.

Musically, Fornax Chemica play a brooding, surreal form of progressive post rock, with a particular emphasis on innovative songwriting and technical prowess. Doom-laden riffs and thunderous, high energy rhythms blend seamlessly with psychedelic interludes, mind-melting polyrhythms and passages of pure ambient expressiveness. Influenced sonically by everyone from The Melvins, Tool, Secret Chiefs 3 and Isis to Angelo Badalamenti, King Crimson and Led Zeppelin, the band have shared stages with the likes of Cult of Luna, …And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead, Kerretta, Black Boned Angel and This City Sunrise.

Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Fornax Chemica

Releases

Chemical Furnace
Year: 2010
Type: EP

Other Reviews By River

Osmium - The Misery Harvest Album Review
29 Jan 2013 // by River
There’s no escaping Osmium’s awesome metal prowess throughout their second full-length album The Misery Harvest. Stylistically similar to Alice and Chains, what sets the Invercargill based three-piece apart is a harder edge of heavy riffs with a bit more grunge for good measure.
Read More...
Rhythm and Vines Review
07 Jan 2013 // by River
There’s something very special about the Rhythm and Vines music festival held during New Year at the lovely Waiohika Estate Vineyard, just out of Gisborne. Rhythm and Vines celebrated their ten-year anniversary with an unprecedented level of professionalism and 31,000 music lovers partied with them on New Years Eve.
Read More...
Villainy - Mode. Set. Clear. Album Review
29 Dec 2012 // by River
The first thing to strike you about Villainy’s debut album Mode Set Clear is the excellent surrealistic graphics designed by legendary designer Storm Thorgerson. Echoing some other great works by the renowned artist such as Muse’s Absolution, Megadeth’s Rude Awakening and Pink Floyd’s A Momentary Lapse Of Reason, the digipac is so good it’s worth framing and mounting to the wall.
Read More...
Rival State - Apollo Me Album Review
29 Oct 2012 // by River
Rival State's album Apollo Me is a solid effort throughout. At times their powerful sound is without compromise.
Read More...
New Way Home - Mirrors Album Review
03 Sep 2012 // by River
From the outset New Way Home's latest release Mirrors is a rip-roaring beast sure to get the mosh pit pumping. Building on some of the best metal sub genres while forging a truly original sound all of their own, the five piece hailing from Auckland have incorporated the perfect blend of delicate harmonics and unrelenting heaviness.
Read More...
Depths - Resurgence EP Review
23 May 2012 // by River
Released on Deadboy Records and best described as a cross between Meshuggah and As I Lay Dying with hints of Machine Head thrown into the bubbling cauldron for good measure, Depths' EP Resurgence is sure to quench your desire for head banging mayhem. The CD starts off with a nice atmospheric and spooky intro that soon gives way to Age Of Compromise.
Read More...
Arc of Ascent - The Higher Key Album Review
02 May 2012 // by River
Arc Of Ascent’s latest release The Higher Key is an excellent follow-up to their debut album Circle of the Sun (Astral Projection) that received favourable reviews. Hailing from Hamilton, the trio punches well above their weight and epitomizes the wall of sound technique with one of the most commanding and transcending metal albums so far this year.
Read More...
The Heavy Metal Ninjas EP Review
04 Mar 2012 // by River
The Heavy Metal Ninjas, who formed in 2010 (the year of the ninja), have certainly transcended the mortal realm with their debut EP of the same name. From devastating riffs, synchronised perfectly with meticulous timing, the five Ninjas including Stu and Fran Kora from multi-platinum selling band Kora, look set to completely annihilate the competition.
Read More...
View All Articles By River

Gigs Today

NZ Top 10 Singles

  • BLURRED LINES
    Robin Thicke feat. TI And Pharrell
  • GET LUCKY
    Daft Punk feat. Pharrell
  • LET HER GO
    Passenger
  • RADIOACTIVE
    Imagine Dragons
  • AFRICA
    Toto
  • ROYALS
    Lorde
  • FEEL THIS MOMENT
    Pitbull feat. Christina Aguilera
  • CAN'T HOLD US
    Macklemore And Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton
  • MIRRORS
    Justin Timberlake
  • SKINNY LOVE
    Birdy
View the Full NZ Top 40...
muzic.net.nz Logo
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report a ProblemReport A Problem