March 25, 2010

Reviewer: Deathstalker

I came across the Polish act Indukti's sophomore album Idmen in the closing weeks of 2009.  I hadn't even heard of the band, so when I played the album I was immediately surprised that what I was hearing was a very unique and well executed blend of prog, folk, metal and rock.  The album was such a satisfying listen that it made my top ten of the year even after only listening to it for no more than two weeks.  It is easy to say there are not a whole lot of bands out there doing what is achieved on Idmen.
             
The album starts off with an eight-minute instrumental and gives you a little taste of everything else you will hear over the next hour.  Acoustic and electric guitars, haunting violins, intricate drumming patterns and catchy yet bizarre melodies are all intertwined together.  The album isn’t heavy on vocals and it only lists guest vocalists (one being Nils Frykdahl from Sleepytime Gorilla Museum).  On the second track “Tusan Homichi Tuvota” you hear vocals and lyrics that will either completely envelop you or completely turn you off.  Taken from a Hopi Indian story, the song tells the story of a hawk desolating the food supply of an Indian community.  Hearing Nils sing and chant “Hawk kills chickens. Hawk kills rabbits.” a few times comes across as ridiculous on paper, but it fits the story well and fits the music even better.  The Native American lyrics mixed with the gypsy sounding violin melody works rather well.  It just may have to grow on you.
             
If you make it though the first two tracks then you will love the rest of what Idmen has to offer.  The songs are all sprawling in length and scope.  The songs all build upon themselves until you are hooked in then don't let go.  The sign of great music writing is being able to make a ten minute song seem like six or less.  A perfect example of Indukti's ability to entrance the listener is the track, “And Who's The God Now?!”.  This is quite possibly on of the most unique songs I have heard in some time.  Until I was more familiar with the song I had no idea what was going on but at the same time the whole thing made sense and I was never lost or confused.  It is like I was blindfolded in a forest of sound and Indukti was carefully leading me along.  They led me through dangerous foreign territory but I knew I was safe the whole time.
             
My sole complaint about the album is also a positive.  At times Idmen has some heavy Tool influences which rub me the wrong way, but this will probably attract more people than it has a negative effect on.  And while I may not enjoy Tool-like riffs as much as others I do like that they are used in a way to enhance the rest of the song.  They are usually transitional parts that lead you from one section of a song to another.  Indukti are obviously great composers and their ability to reside on the outer fringe yet not isolate themselves is showcased all over this album.
             
Idmen is definitely not for everyone.  If you are someone who wants a good challenge and are open to experimental metal, this is definitely an album worth checking out.  There are also a lot of Middle Eastern and Gyspy influences in the music, therefore even some folk metal fans will get something out of this.  Just don't expect to fall in love with it overnight.  Like all things worth savoring, a bit of dedication and willingness to change your outlook are needed to experience the full effect.  Idmen is no different.

Release Date: August 2009
Label: InsideOut Music GmbH

TRACK LISTING

1.  Sansara
2.  Tusan Homichi Tuvota
3.  Sunken Bell
4.  And Who's the God Now?!
5.  Indukted
6.  Aemaet
7.  Nemesis Voices
8.  Ninth Wave

Total playing time:  1:03:16

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Indukti - Idmen