Hello to our non-existent insanely-crazy-metal-horn-raising fans out there and our apologies for the seemingly eternal delay in getting our lazy hands on the keyboard to write this down. However, trust me, the album that we’re getting back on our reviewing ways to here, is so badass, it makes the wait more than simply worth it. Ha, you will see what I mean…
Once in a fairly long while, there come out albums like Pink Floyd’s ‘Wall’ or Death’s ‘Symbolic’ that, well, pretty much warp the entire sphere of music and bend it so badly, they begin owning it. Infernal Wrath’s Inside of me, is all that, and more. In fact, this album hit me so hard the first time I heard it (about 3-4 months back), that I just HAD to take a while to let it sink in, lest I go overboard and begin another worship trip all over again. Honestly, 4 months of listening to the album an innumerable number of times, and I feel no different!
This is the first true Indian metal concept album, to my memory. As for the concept itself, the band says depicts – “path of self-realization that is set to a backdrop of the events preceding the Apocalypse which has been foretold in various scriptures which form the basis of various religions & sects all across the globe.” This, though, is not the true differentiator. It would take a band REALLY willing to experiment to actually include Indian classical undertones and ambient melodies in an album as brutal as this one. Surprisingly, they have managed to get these distant enemies married!
The album begins with 'Truth' - a tone-setter for the brutality that is to come. All through this track, you can constantly hear this beast gnashing his teeth waiting to pounce upon you, walking slowly, yet steadily, towards its prey, in frightening serenity. Five and a half minutes of acoustic guitars and n number of random Indian instruments later, you are set to take a deep dive into a land elsewhere. Aptly, you’re welcomed to this land by booming drums in the hands of one Mr. JP who, really, is the star of the album. 'Inside of me' is an apt entry point and manages to surprise you enough all through the track to grab your attention, which is an entry number’s point anyway. As a standalone track though, this can’t hold a candle to what is to come. 'Turmoil' is another build-up track; you can hear what sounds like Indian black magic incantations through the track, giving it that necessarily eerie feel. ‘Behold Ezekiel’ is your typical brutal death belter with a typical brutal death pattern. Nothing much to say about it, it just fits in neatly with the entire scheme of things I guess. Nevertheless, as usual, JP is awesome. ‘This Forever Lasting Journey’ is like an interlude in the album, serenity personified and it forms a very important section of the story that the album is trying to spin. ‘Funeral Pyre’, is my favourite track on the album (although stand alones do hardly as much in comparison to the album experience), JP’s work on this one is simply magnificent (Damn! The sound of that crash!). Afaque on vocals really excels on this one too. ‘The Swordbearer’ is Sushan’s (Keyboard and Sampler) spotlight number. Although this may sound absurd, it has a very Rahman-esque feel to it. Symphonic and glorious, this track really hits the spot for me! ‘Foothills of Palestine’ is a different breed of brutal death, while staying as brutal as ever. Now don’t ask me what defines this breed, for I do not know. I just know it. I love the bit of this track from 3:10 to 3:40. Somehow, when the bass becomes the solo instrument, it captures my imagination. ‘The Creation of the Lotus’ is like an Indian melody, often reminding you of some random classical sounding music in a religious setting. But, well, inexplicably, it falls in place and blends into the canvas. ‘The destruction of the third temple’ is the most acclaimed track from the album, from Rolling stone metal award nominations to fan hoolahoo to what not, and justified too! All through its 6.833 minute stretch, not for a second are you left unsurprised, this track is a roller-coaster ride in itself and, to me, it comes second after Funeral Pyre among my favourites from the album. Siddah Arth is an outro of sorts, giving your neck some rest and providing the album with that all necessary ethnic seasoning. Pradip and Amnish on guitars give us tight riffs and memorable solos throughout the album. Vian on Bass is adequate.
Nice cover art.
Conclusion: 4.5/5. Go Buy.
