Review: Indus Valley Kings ‘Indus Valley Kings’
The Indus Valley Civilization, according to Wikipedia, were around in the north western regions of South Asia during the Bronze Age lasting from 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, and in its mature form from 2600 BCE to 1900 BCE. Ranging from northeast Afghanistan to Pakistan and north west India, one of the strangest things about Indus Valley was – the people of this civilization did not build massive monuments like their contemporaries, nor did they bury riches among their dead in golden tombs. Remarkably advanced for their time, the absence of all these is what makes the era exciting, unique and perpetually mysterious.
It’s truly fascinating that the heavy stoner metal trio from Long Island, NY’s chose such a provoking band name, as it makes them instantly unique with tropes of mystery. As an introduction the band themselves say ‘From the ancient deserts…From the dawn of time…The Indus Valley Kings offer their brand of heavy, down-tuned music, to rock the souls of a modern civilization’. Indeed, that’s what Indus Valley Kings play and their sound portrays.
Formed initially in 2018 by guitarist and vocalist Billy Fridrich and drummer Danny Lofaro, bassist and vocalist Jonathan Habers joined in the following year. The associations of the band members with numerous other types of bands surely bonded the trio like a pact, as they streamed all their spirits and energies into this Self-Titled debut album.
Devil and Phoenix reach the doomy, low end with its wicked guitar sound, driven by ever-flowing bass lines…
Opening tracks Angels and Cactus People come with traditional stoner movements, while Devil and Phoenix reach the doomy, low end with its wicked guitar sound, driven by ever-flowing bass lines. The drums are fluent and glued like intonation’s throughout, listen to that in Scapegoat, Rest In Waste, and 1000 Wicked Souls. Similar trends of bonds are shown with the vocals, coming across more like a narration for the saga and are used throughout the near fifty minute run time, allowing you to get lost in the valley of the kings with their song craft and engrossing atmosphere.
But, beyond the stoned and doomy movements, is there anything primeval felt during the whole period? Possibly, 1000 Wicked Souls. Also, visually, among all Indus Valley Kings’ artwork, their usage of the ‘Priest King’, a sculpture dug up at Mohenjo-daro, one of Indus Valley’s largest cities, was the most enticing and thought provoking, giving an initial insight to the lost valley of the kings.
This debut album was recorded live at Shorefire Studios in Long Branch, NJ by Joe DeMaio and later mastered at Sage Audio in Nashville, TN by Steve Corrao. And a formula that certainly helped Indus Valley Kings come out with a solid debut long player with immense replay value and I’ve a feeling they would be a great act to see live. Hopefully it’s just the beginning for this trio.
Label: Independent
Band Links: Official | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram
Scribed by: Randolph Whateley
