IDMEN

What an amazing sophomore effort this is! It hasn't really been that long since Polish prog-metal quintet Indukti had pleasantly surprised a large amount of prog connoisseurs and collectors all over the world with their debut release "S.U.S.A.R.", but now in the second half of 2009, their second album "Idmen" happens to be a solid improvement on that, and it works not only in terms of exploring more colorful sonic schemes but also in terms of delivering a tighter sound overall. This band has always been proficient at inserting massive degrees of experimental and eclectic vibes into its core prog-metal sound, something inherently demanded by the fact that one of the band's members plays violin ? no conventional rock can come from that, not even "conventional prog rock". Well, the musical structure of the repertoire comprised in "Idmen" features elements from math-rock, experimental metal a-la Tool, psychedelically driven fusion a-la Gordian Knot, as well as some industrial resources. Also, the occasional presence of guests at trumpet and cimbalom provides a rich source of variety and textures. 'Sansara' opens up the album with rocking splendor, showing how well the dual guitars integrate each other's phrases while the rhythmic basis is developed robustly and the violin mingles in fluidly. Shortly before arriving at the 5 minute mark, the piece slows down a bit and focuses on a moderate dominance of acoustic moods. 'Tusan Homichi Tuvota' starts with an amalgam of acoustic guitars and cimbalom, in this way generating a deceitful calm that soon enough gives in at the emergence of neurotic metallic pulsations, fueled with agile exotic ambiences. The presence of Nils Frykdahl (of Sleepytime Gorilla Museum) on vocals is a crucial help regarding the creation of uneasy intensity and euphorically gloomy atmospheres. Arguably, this is the album's pinnacle? But not the end of it, since 'Sunken Bell' follows, providing a moment of mysterious cosmic nuances (like a David Lynch's movie soundtrack), and right after that, 'And Who' Your God Now?' brings a sinister approach to fusion- infected prog metal. In fact, the sinister factor reaches an electrifying climax of magic and madness in the delirious coda's ritualistic cadences. 'Indukted' is yet another expression of sophisticated thunderstorm Indkuti-style, in some ways seasoned with math-rock oriented tricks. 'Aemet' begins as a continuation of the implacable neurosis that had been delivered in the previous track, and ends equally: in the middle, a spacey interlude brings back some memories of pre-"In Absentia" Porcupine Tree. 'Nemesis Voices' is basically based on a recapitulation of the sort of mood we found before in tracks 1 and 6. The album's last 11 ½ minutes are occupied by 'Ninth Wave', which delivers a powerful ending for "Idmen". It gets started with contemplative ambiences (featuring mesmerizing lines on trumpet). Further on, a delicious acoustic guitar duet settles a simplistic framework from which a warm, mysterious mood emerges and fills the whole environment in which the listener remains sitting comfortably (will they be still sitting comfortably by then?). The crescendo that starts at the 3 minute mark is led by the trio of violin and 2 guitars, and so the main body states yet another great example of intelligent energy. The insertion of a brief fusion-esque interlude is funny but not distracting. Finally, the sounds of sea waves and seagull screams signal a special epilogue for this special progressive 2009's gem. Indukti progresses, indeed.