Stream Indian's Brutally Brilliant, Teeth-Shattering New Album

By Jon Graef in Arts & Entertainment on Apr 6, 2011 7:20PM

Photo by Anastasios Ketsios

The good folks over at Stereogum's "Haunting The Chapel" blog were kind enough to premiere a stream of Chicago doom metal quintet Indian's latest offering, Guiltless, Monday. And we must say, wow: Marrying the bleakness of a Cormac McCarthy novel with the ruthless force of a Tyrannasaurus Rex footstomp, Guiltless is a musical journey into the mouth of teeth-rattling metal madness.

Obviously, that means it rules.

Here's what to expect, musically: Immense low-end, especially in the buzzy, swarm-of-bees like guitars, slow tempos, smatterings of ambient noise, and bloodcurdling screams. (As well as the occasional foray into blackened trash). Standout tracks include "Guilty," "Suppliments," a Spanish-influenced instrumental palate cleanser, and the title track, a devastating eight-minute mix of doom and drone that's the perfect soundtrack for gazing into your soul and finding something you don’t like.

But fear not, listeners! You can turn those realizations into catharsis, and, like the best metal bands, Indian's towering metal provides it. One last image: Imagine the cover of Pantera’s Vulgar Display of Power stretched out to infinity and beyond: That’s the sonic impact of this album.

Somebody say something about hyperbole?

Indian will celebrate next Tuesday's release of Guiltless on Relapse Records by playing a show on Saturday, April 9, with labelmates Bloodiest, who released their album Descent on March 29th. (We'll be sharing some thoughts about it later this week.)

Saturday, April 9, at Subterranean,, 2011 W North, 10 p.m., $8, 21+.