Indian: From All Purity

The fifth album from the Chicago blackened doom experts Indian certainly leaves no doubt that these guys have a bad case of anguish and despair. The promotional materials really say it best: "This is truly the antithesis of easy listening." That's true. It's pretty unlikely that anyone picking up this album would expect something smooth, the kind of music that accompanies the ride down an elevator, or helps you wait for a dentist's appointment. This is more like the music that should come along with that awful moment when the dentist gets out the drill and has forgotten to give you a shot for the pain. The opening track ("Rape") is so harsh and brutal, dark and menacing, that I could hardly get through it. This is the stuff of nightmares.

Things get more interesting with "Clarify," a noise track that captured my attention mostly because I wondered how they did it. Like the other tracks, it doesn't make for an easy listen, but it certainly is hard to forget. I would love to see how well it comes off in a live setting. I also liked "Disambiguation," the closing track. I wonder, though, if I liked it because it's more accessible or if I finally understood what Indian is doing on this album. If I sound overly negative about this album, don't take it the wrong way. This album is precisely what it sets out to be—an aggressive and overwhelming assault on the ears. For those who already like Indian, this album extends their appreciation for the band. For those new to the band, I'd go with one of the earlier works. They aren't easier to hear, but they have a slightly higher status among fans.

Track Listing:
1. Rape
2. The Impetus Bleeds
3. Directional
4. Rhetoric of No
5. Clarify
6. Disambiguation

Added: March 15th 2014
Reviewer: Carl Sederholm
Score:
Related Link: Band Website
Hits: 1911
Language: english

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