Indignity – Self-Titled EP

The backdrop for Indignity’s formation was Bulgaria’s turbulent 1990s, a decade marked by seismic shifts in politics, economics, and social dynamics following the fall of the Eastern Bloc. The rapid privatization of formerly state-owned assets was marked by “shock therapy” reforms, unemployment rose sharply, hyperinflation occurred, and many people experienced a decline in living standards. The country was in a situation where a small elite, often politically connected, was able to amass considerable wealth and create a web of criminal syndicates that controlled the trade, media, and public sphere. That said, the era was characterized by a lack of social stability, increasing crime rates, and ethnic tensions, factors that contributed to bullying and other forms of social aggression among kids and young people who grew up during that time.

In the midst of this challenging landscape, Indignity was founded in 1995 in Varna. Comprising members from several short-lived bands in the early ’90s, Indignity was pivotal in laying the groundwork for a burgeoning hardcore scene characterized by a sense of community and DIY ethics. In their formative years, Indignity embraced a dynamic blend of ’80s UKHC and mid-’90s American hardcore, gaining traction at the time. Like many bands from former Eastern Bloc countries, Indignity played politically-charged hardcore with English lyrics, aiming for international exposure and touring abroad.

Marking their 10th anniversary in 2005, Indignity released their first full-length album, Hands Dripped in Blood, along with a 1995-2000 CD that collected all recorded material. After 2005, the band didn’t stop playing, but the members found themselves in a situation with families and responsibilities in life, where the band and the hardcore scene were no longer top priorities in life. In the following years Indignity changed their style dramatically, adding some post-punk and rock influences, Hristo started singing entirely in Bulgarian and the band was no longer interested in playing typical hardcore music.

In 2022, Indignity self-released their long-awaited album Извадителна Представка, which featured 12 original tracks in Bulgarian, which they played for years at their live gigs across the country, as well as a cover of cult Bulgarian darkwave band Нова Генерация. Luckily we didn’t have to wait another 17 years for a new Indignity record to see the light of day.

Indignity’s self-titled EP from August 2023 features five new tracks in Bulgarian that carry on the catchy, original and rather charming sound they’ve been crafting for the past decade. Departing from any template, the tracks reflect Indignity’s broad musical tastes, where you can hear influences ranging from Cro-Mags, Killing Joke and Amebix to Leatherface, Hüsker Dü and local heroes like Dimitar Voev of the aforementioned Нова Генерация. Songs like “Болен”, “Бих искал да мога” and “Надежда” are still visceral hardcore pieces, but they also feature more melodic dimensions than previous efforts. There are no translations of the lyrics, but you can be sure that they are poetic, emotional and powerful, yet socially conscious, as Bulgaria is still far from being the best place to live. If the band used to play hardcore with an unrepentant anger, they now play hardcore with soul.

One notable aspect is that the EP was entirely self-produced, recorded, and mixed by the band, along with their extended network of friends and former members. Some tracks were even recorded at the iconic Studio33, a hub for the Varna hardcore scene since the early 1990s. While clearly intended for local fans, the EP’s appeal transcends geography. Like any language that is not English, it adds a special vibe to the band’s music, which I recommend checking out.