S.U.S.A.R.

Here is an album that completely took me by surprise after I ordered it a couple of years ago from The Laser's Edge. It was a "gamble" album, purchased on the basis of the sample track I heard (I think it was "Shade") and I have to say, that gamble has paid off enormously.

This album is one of my all time favourite records and I cannot praise it highly enough. This is the most balanced, consistent and overall nearest thing to musical perfection that I've ever heard. I thoroughly enjoy every track and never feel the need to skip any full or partial tracks to get to something better. There are no throwaway or filler tracks, just a solid offering of individual parts that all seem equally as important as one another in the process of forming this magical whole.

There are a couple of intriguing aspects regarding my love for this record. Firstly, I don't normally like the violin so to be so enamoured by an album that features this instrument so prominently is rather odd. Secondly, I don't normally trust debut records to be particularly strong, as I think a band takes time to find their groove. Finally, I'm very hard to please at the best of times when it comes to music and I find it extremely hard to give an album a perfect score. Even some albums that I consider masterpieces have moments that I could skip over, but tend to endure them because the overall journey of the album is the most important thing.

Indukti have managed to completely bugger my theories or beliefs up with this record, proving to me that the violin can be enjoyable, band's can create brilliance at their first attempt, and an album can contain nothing but greatness in every track.

The overall mood of S.U.S.A.R is a serious one and the way it so innocently begins is just a facade for the dark and moody energy that is to explode shortly thereafter (recurring again throughout the album at different times). A track like "Uluru" maintains a cracking pace only slowing down at the end, while others such as the opener "Freder", or "No.11812" ebb and flow with tranquillity and rage in equal measure.

One of the interesting aspects of "Uluru" is that it features a didgeridoo, an instrument used by the Aborigines, the native owners of Uluru. This is interesting to me because Indukti is a Polish band and I'm surprised they would even know about Australian aborigines, let alone write a song about a most revered and treasured Aboriginal icon.

For the briefest of moments, the beginning of "No.11811" actually reminds me of "Mystery Train" by Transatlantic, but then the seriousness kicks in and I'm relieved that it's not a happy sounding song like "Mystery Train" is. There is simply no place for happy vibes on this record ? but ironically, the feeling it gives me is pure joy.

There are aggressive riffs, some phenomenally raw and energetic drumming, and the bass sounds wonderful in the mix. Most of the album is instrumental, although Mariusz Duda of Riverside provides vocals on three tracks ? "Freder", "Cold inside...I" and "Shade." His dry delivery reminds me of Shane Howard from an Australian band called Goanna (who aren't prog and this is probably the first time they've even been mentioned on this site, as I doubt anyone outside of Australia would've heard of them).

Of course, as mentioned earlier, the violin plays a prominent role on this album but rather than agitate, it provides a nice contrast to the more aggressive sounds. It seems to be used more as a vehicle for taking the listener into a calm state, before the storm hits...and I just love a good storm!

The final track "...and Weak II" is a journey in itself, from calm to sonic rage and back again. It is so incredibly beautiful and sums up the album brilliantly with the many different shapes it takes over its nine and a half minute duration.

The only thing I might criticise is the bland album cover, but the music within more than makes up for this.

I absolutely adore this record and I cannot wait for Indukti's follow up, "Idmen" (the first track, available on their Myspace page sounds incredible). Bring it on!

For now though, S.U.S.A.R rates five very deserving stars!