According to Indian Nightmare themselves, the follow up to 2016’s Taking Back the Land is just the beginning of their story. Self-styled, Tribal Metal Punks, they are possibly the most diverse band I’ve come across when it comes to international talent.
Based out of Germany but comprised of members from Indonesia, Italy, Turkey, and Mexico, Indian Nightmare let their collective cultures flow through their music and send a clear message that borders mean nothing in the metal world.
By Ancient Force is the sophomore record for Indian Nightmare and was recorded using analogue equipment and tape, combined with the bands unique brand of blackened thrash meets punk vibes, this approach to recording paid off. The result is a fantastic retro sound of a garage band destined for the main stage (and not a snare rattle to be heard anywhere, I’m looking at you, Lars).
This is an incredibly listenable and relentless record, conjuring up images of the birth of thrash with shrill vocals, blistering guitar solos, punk rock drum blasts and galloping bass lines. ‘Land of the Damned’ hits the spot, offering a buffet of delightedly old school riffs and headbanging fury. ‘Yang Tarampas Dan Terampas’ is another standout track, mainly as it’s not sung in English and not only keeps up the marauding pace of the album but even accelerates it in places.
Forgive me for not knowing exactly what language vocalist – known as ‘Poison Snake’ – is yelling into the microphone (my guess is Indonesian) but it’s an energetic blast of pure heavy metal and you don’t need to understand the lyrics to know it’s a heavy hitter. I personally love it when bi-lingual bands break out into a native language and shake things up so a big tick in the plus column for me.
Whilst Indian Nightmare encompasses elements of big thrash mainstays they also deliver a sound in places that no other band that I can bring to my mind immediately reaches. This is most evident on ‘Set the Spirit Free’ which is a great showcase of the range this band is equipped with and ready to unleash.
By Ancient Force released May 24th on High Roller Records.
