It's funny how you can write an opinion on a recent listening, and whilst writing or listening for a second time, your opinion changes.
Arditi - Insignia of the Sun (Leidunger, Digital)
After the utmost classic Marching on to Victory and the much less exciting Spirit of Sacrifice I haven't really been following up on Arditi and was surprised there was a new album out! It's been quite a while since their last one, remembering the last few outputs where often a repeat of what already has been done, but with less intensity and conviction, so I just kept going back only to the first album. And now we have a new album!
Not surprisingly, it sounds much like their other output, even so much I think they are still using the same samples from Marching on to Victory, which is from 2003 haha, I don't hear much difference, that's funny. Are these even new tracks or left-overs from the first albums? But more important, is there conviction behind this new material?
Well, I think it sounds much darker than the last few albums from what I remember which is good. Great oppressive military tracks with a sense of oppression and threat, followed up by a good piece of drone, yes I quite like the first part of the album. But after Bloodtheism it becomes more melodic and well, who invited 1940's Walt Disney? It doesn't sound very good. The more melodic stuff is only for a short time though, it goes back to being dark again luckily.
But it sounding so much like their albums from 10 years ago, one has to wonder, why not fatten up those drums? Why not get a little more production on it? Why not get a few new vocal samples? Why do I feel listening to left-overs rather than a fresh new product when the album was finished?
Hey don't get it wrong, I like this, but I also could put on their first album so would to hear how the sound could be pushed further. Also I think after 3 repeats I will be going back to the first album hah, it's still the best.
