Indra The Call of Shiva Volume 1 Play Sample:   56K Dialup   Broadband   Download Sample:   500K   1.5Mb (Excerpt from track(s) 'Pole Shift') Please go to the Store to buy this item.

CDR / 5 tracks / 73.03 mins

With a title like that you would expect this album to be full of Eastern promise but such influences, when used, are usually rather subtle. A rapid sequence propels 'Pole Shift' into life. Another even more retro sounding sequence falls into place. A third line of pulsations joins the existing two- heaven! A metronomic bass rhythm adds even greater bight as the sequences morph in all directions. The volume increases and things become more intense only to start subsiding in the eighth minute as we are left with a gentle restrained rhythm and lovely atmospheric touches. I thought that would be how we finished but no, with two minutes to go the sequences are fired to life once again, sounding even more Berlin School than ever though with a more contemporary rhythmic backing. 'Great Ancient Gods are Coming' is a suitably majestic with some lovely deep pads and tinkling effects. All very moody stuff but with a nice syncopated finish.

'In Search For A New Land' kicks of with a superb mid paced sequence which contrasts beautifully with slow haunting backing. A second sequence moves into position but this is also delicate. The whole track so far has a rather crystalline feel to it. Lush pads swell in the background as yet more pulsations join the fray but somehow even with so much going on things don't sound over cluttered, instead subtlety is the order of the day. In the eighth minute all descends to tranquillity with just the odd drone and cosmic touch here and there. This lasts for about a minute and a half before the mood changes completely as strident drums enter, a playful lead line skipping between the beats. Again this is a short lived section however as a couple of minutes later we return to another atmospheric interlude out of which fresh sequences emerge accompanied by a dreamy lead line. A harder edge very slowly starts to materialise, then rhythm returns but it's all still fairly restrained. 'Sinai (Original Edit)' bounces into life with yet more sequences- this time belting along at quite a pace right from the off. The contrasting lead line possesses the most 'Eastern' influenced moment on the album, adding that air of mystery as the pulsations slowly gain added impetus. It is one of those track were element after element is added with very little being taken away along the journey. In such a way tension and excitement are gradually heightened. By the ninth minute the rhythms are starting to dominate, really kicking up a storm. We finish with the most Berlin School track on the entire album 'Magic Circle'. A classic bass sequence mixes with a second wonderfully complex more melodic one. It all has something of a Schulzian feel. The sequences take a break in the fourth minute only to return a minute or so later, new ones coming, old ones departing in a wonderful avalanche of pulsations. There is a real twist in the last two minutes however as a dance beat erupts! Not sure if it really works, I will let you decide but overall this is one of Indra's finest albums. (DL)

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