S.U.S.A.R.

I've only recently heard this band on a ROIO from a certain Progressive Rock Festival and the performance and composition I thought were very high indeed. Blew me away actually. Frankly this band rocks very powerfully and beautifully. A metal band that do not sacrifice subtlety for power. Not many of those are there? When they fire the guns the blast is there and some but there are moments of beauty not just in the quieter delicate moments but during the powerful and strong rhythms courtesy of some exquisite violin playing providing melodies that are unique and strong. Clearly integral to the sound.

Logically compared to the 72- 74 Crimson they succeed where Fripp thought KC might have failed in that he said a "violin is not an instrument of heavy metal." Well opinions differ there of course, but after the pioneering classical metal of Crimson there is now Indukti who have moved this genre on and really ensured the violin is not just an adjunct to the rest of the band. It's integral to the music and sound.

I am not familiar with Riverside, whose singer guests on this album. In fact after learning there was a singer I was a bit concerned. Here is a band that functions best without a singer. Or at least, so far. Still the guest singer does fine enough, no complaints at all. The tracks are somewhat uniform in that it really is an instrumental concept album, a cohesive effort. So therefore it has certain characteristics that provide that identity. The album does have a powerful climax and is really well paced. It's also well produced and a great listen.

My only gripe with S.U.S.A.R. is the album is a mere 47 minutes long and frankly if there is music as interesting and compelling as this I would hope for a longer second album. It's too short!

Well no chance of this becoming a mainstream household name but Indukti should thrive on their own terms anyway. This album I thought was phenomenal and I can hardly wait for the second. I do think it's important to note that it's not easy for rock bands to be totally original. They have influences as do everyone but Indukti build a unique platform based on those influences to be an entity in their own right.

And I know they can also play in concert, really superb. . Well done. Now that's what I call progressive.

So, onto the rating. If there was some more instrumental variety, classical guitar for example I would give it five. But it's damn near essential. Probably 4 1/2 stars but I can't be mean, not on something that really hit home so decisively. Besides on its own terms its spot on so any wishful thinking on my part is irrelevant to my rating it anything lower than what I have.