Simon RushworthChemia — Something To Believe In (Absolute Label Services)
Poland’s Chemia (chemistry) experiment is like a petri dish of viral rock and roll.
A band bravely committed to creative trial and error might still be searching for the perfect outcome.
But there’s a compelling alchemy at the heart of this addictive album’s ambitious blend of myriad styles and musical substance.
And rock fans jaded by genre focus finally have Something To Believe In.
There’s post-grunge, classic rock, outlaw country and soulful funk.
Frontman Luke Drapala channels his inner David Draiman, Chris Cornell and Chris Stapleton to create a towering vocal tapestry.
And guitarist W flits from Richie Kotzen to Eddie Vedder and Zach Myers to Steve Vai.
Something To Believe In is something special if you like your rock and metal unpredictable and fresh.
But if you prefer heavy music by numbers then look away now.
Chemia’s bold decision to enlist ex-Duran Duran man Andy Taylor as producer reflects the band’s collective determination to push the boundaries and look outside of the box.
The Geordie guitarist’s never felt comfortable constrained by the shackling rules of rock and pop.
But he’s the master at fusing the best bits of both.
And Taylor’s the perfect fit if your mission’s to mix things up and cause a stir.
Something To Believe In is truly something to behold with its joyous juxtapositions and unexpected diversions.
And what about the bass? Is Błażej Chochorowksi hard rock’s new rhythm king? Could well be.
Chemia Reaction Is 100% Positive
Everyone needs Something To Believe In.
Not least the people of Ukraine.
And that’s why Chemia have put promotion of their new record on hold as they help to coordinate Poland’s huge refugee effort.
The band has pledged to divert 25% of the income from new album and single sales to the Polish-Ukrainian Institute of Assistance and Development.
And one day they hope to return to the scene of one of their most famous shows — the Woodstock Ukraine Festival.
Chemia are no strangers to the big stage having appeared ahead of Metallica at Warsaw’s Sonisphere Festival.
They’ve played alongside Guns N Roses, Deep Purple and Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
And such is the quality of Something To Believe In, expect to see a whole lot more of the prodigious Poles.
The Widows Soul bounces Lizzy-esque riffs off a peak Soundgarden bassline.
Modern Times should soundtrack a metal Spaghetti Western (Chochorowski steals the show again).
And The Best Thing could be Chemia’s Every Rose Has Its Thorn as Poison meets Disturbed head on.
There’s the crazily addictive funk rock and soul of Blood Money and the classic outlaw country that’s Tumbleweed.
Ready for more? Grunge meets punk on jaunty set closer Eagles Of The City as Chemia unravel one final tale of the unexpected.
Something To Believe In sounds like the underground hit of the year.
It deserves to be so much more than that.
