The Unquiet Sky by INDIAN

Bands like Eyehategod and Crowbar melded elements of doom into sludge and stoner metal, gaining modest success in the more mainstream metal community, but doom is beginning to enjoy a new wave of popularity, thanks largely to the more progressive experimental work of artists like Stephen O'Malley (Sunn0))), Burning Witch). Indian is a Chicago-based trio whose brand of doom is more akin to that of Eyehategod than the earliest or latest incarnations of the genre, and their distinctively black metal vocals immediately set them apart from the pack.

First things first: The Unquiet Sky is everything a doom record should be. The bass tone is so perfect and intense that it could shake your body through a pair of headphones. The guitars bring Black Sabbath-esque fuzz down enough notches to kill a horse. The percussion is sparse when it needs to be ("Ration") and energetic when it's allowed ("Tied and Gagged"). Dylan O'Toole's vocals give Indian the extra edge over many of the other bands who have perfected this formula by complementing the melancholy created by the music with a demonic voice of evil. There is even an extended track of terrifyingly psychedelic feedback, perfectly placed to scare the crap out of you when you're high. In fact, the only thing that fails to be suitably doom-y and evil about this record is the cover illustration of a Christ-like baboon which, despite being evil enough in spirit, looks a bit too much like it was drawn in a junior high art class.

This record is an easy recommend for fans of the "doom" genre, but what about anyone unacquainted with the genre? I personally don't consider myself a huge aficionado of the style, but loved this record. The only things required to enjoy The Unquiet Sky are an attention span and a love of all things metal. This record generally moves slowly, as does most doom, but it is far less droning and repetitive than many recent examples of the genre. As the name of the style suggests, doom is, by its very nature, dark, oppressive music. As such, Indian is definitely better suited to being digested over an extended period of time at high volumes, rather than short bursts in your car or through headphones.

Bottom Line: If you're searching for the latest, greatest doom record to add to your collection, look no further than Indian's The Unquiet Sky. Fans of Neurosis, Eyehategod and Godflesh should also definitely pick this up. It's a solid record from beginning to end from an up-and-coming trio of doom virtuosos.

From Lords Of Metal E-zine:

After the opener "No Able Fires" I am very much so surprised by the peeps and croons of the guitar effects taking place, and well into the second song I realize that this bands offers so much that they might even be a serious contender to the sludge throne, still being seated by the almighty Grief in my opinion. Indian has been brewed in the streets of Chicago, USA, and actually exists only a couple of years. Their firstling "Godslave" which was released independently, gave them a big name in the underground almost instantly. It gave them opportunities tgo pay with High On Fire, Macabre and their soulmates Buried At Sea. As an influence they compare themselves to the Melvins, something I completely agree with. But the Melvins repertoire is so big and diverse than they only sound like the heaviest Melvins songs. And with better vocals, more black metal orientated than Melvins' Buzz. Fave track is "Dead Weight", one of the shorter songs on the album but nevertheless effective as hell! This compared to the over eight minute track "Lord Of Decay", a mysterious soundscape which breaks the CD is half and gives it the necessary variation. A bit of Man Is The Bastard I hear in it. This is sludge the way it's supposed to be. Not even that, it damn original stuff Indian plays. I rate them a great future. Excellent release!

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