THE CHEMICAL CHAOS

This is my first album with this Germany band that was founded in 1991 by Volker Walsemann (vocals & guitars), Marco Ahrens (guitars), Christian Scheele (bass), Marcello Maniscalco (keyboards) and Andreas Tegeler (drums). This album is their fifth with line-up change from first. Marcello Maniscalco on the keyboards and bass player Christian Scheele left the band for other projects.

Even though the band has been classified under progressive metal box, their music is not exactly as heavy as Dream Theater or Symphony X. It's probably closer to Pain of Salvation or Fates Warning, IMHO. I may be wrong.

"Walk into nowhere" starts with an ambient sound of keyboard / organ with some guitar fills. When the music enters, the electric guitar solo brings to riffs with some guitar solo that welcomes the main rhythm to accompany vocal. The bass guitar solo during transition reminds me to Aghora (see my review in this site as well) where it is played in a style of jazz rock fusion music - sort of Stanley Clarke. The guitar solo during interlude is nice. This track has a good structure with unpredictable rhythm / melody and frequent tempo changes..

"Every kind of life" intro has a solo drum augmented with dynamic bass guitar work and bring the music into a faster tempo then slow down when guitar solo enters. It turns back to faster tempo in continuous style and let the lead voice in. This track was composed more straight forward with minimum variation of melody and tempo changes. But, it's an enjoyable track - especially the bass guitar and guitar work.

"All minds in one" intro reminds me of Pain of Salvation music with ambient and psychedelic style. It turns into faster tempo and slows down a bit when vocal enters. This tune is more melodic compared to previous tracks. The keyboard is played in symphonic style with some solo during transition. The interlude part with keyboard solo accompanied by dazzling bass is nice even though at first sounds so empty (musically). I would classify this track as a symphonic prog met. Excellent.

"A world without me" is a moderate/slow tempo at the opening and it flows with soft guitar riffs in continuous form. Again, it's like Pain of Salvation music. The wonderful part of this track is the inclusion of acoustic guitar fills in the middle of the track. The electric guitar solo that brings vocal line returns back to music or during voice line is really stunning.

The sixth track "Terminal trip" is a symphonic prog met instrumental piece that demonstrates keyboard, guitar and vibes in a good composition. The guitar solo at approx min 3:44 is simple and enjoyable. The use of vibe sound has enriched the track. "Pact with the past" is an ambient track with relatively long instrumental part in a driving rhythm section at opening. The music flows continuously at moderate tempo with some riffs. The tempo turns up at the ending part of the track.

"Left to chance" reminds me to the music of Symphony X especially on keyboard work. This track combines classic rock with prog met sound with simple piano touch. It's a melodic track with nice soft riffs. "Moving target" is simple in structure and quite melodic; good guitar solo during interlude with symphonic musical background. "Do what you feel" is the concluding track with many riffs, guitar and keyboard solos and great vibe sounds. The bonus track "Access denied" is a wonderful acoustic song.

Overall, I consider this album excellent. The only thing concerns me is probably about a bit "rough" riffs that I can hear clearly through out this album. It's probably the issue of mixing not performance. For those of you who like prog met genre should try this one. Rating 3.75 / 5. GW, Indonesia.