Indian Askin live. Paradiso Amsterdam, Friday 8 December 2023

Photo: Wout de Natris

I did not see this one coming. As if Queens of the Stone Age had descended from the Ziggo Dome into the top floor of Paradiso. Indian Askin took the opening song of its new album, 'Lonely Citizen', 'Possessed' as the standard for the show and for one and a half hour pounded the audience with a heavy rock show of epic proportions. Except that not went well.

Indian Askin has won me over with the mix of alternative rock, a little psychedelia here and there and certainly on stage an experimental part that often let to interesting explorations of a song. Even at a festival like Bevrijdingspop the band was not afraid to go off into new territories. That band is no more, as it did not live through the pandemic.

With a good new album under its belt, Indian Askin has set out for a little tour through the country and in Amsterdam played also for friends and family. The album does contain a few real rock tracks and that became the way all songs were presented. Including the more subtle older ones. The good thing is that the songs can easily stand a more powerful execution. The strength of the songs come across with ease, just like the top songs of 'Lonely Citizen' do.

Photo: Wout de Natris

Where things went wrong, is that the noise became a hindrance for the singing. More and more the vocals disappeared in the sonic storms coming from the speakers and maybe that even hindered the singers on stage. I saw fingers keep pointing up and up, while simultaneously the harmonies were not always on pitch anymore. Believe me, at some point the music does not need to become any louder to come across! Next to that, you have a few great new songs like 'Houdini' or 'Eleven' that deserve a softer rendition. It gives the show more dynamics and will make it more interesting. Now, near the end, 'Love Buzz' quote or not, I was just levelled over and near numb. It has been a long time since I needed my earplugs this badly.

That said, I did love the tightness of the playing and the effects coming from the guitars and synth. "Expect riffs and riffs", I read somewhere and they were certainly there. Indian Askin is a great band, with many very good songs, but it is not QOTSA and has no need to be. Be yourself, it's more than enough.

I went home with the LP and I'm sure I will be playing it for some time to come. It's getting better and better.

Wout de Natris

You can listen to and order Indian Askin's music here:

https://indianaskin.bandcamp.com/album/lonely-citizen