ARDITI: Insignia Of The Sun

Release year: 2020/2023
Label: Blooddawn Productions

Martial industrial stalwarts Arditi have been active on the release front this year: this is already their second release in 2023. However, unlike Emblem Of Victory (reviewed here), Insignia Of The Sun is not a new release. It was originally released already in 2020 as a digital only release. It also consists partially of previously released tracks: exactly half of the contents of the release were previously heard on Bloodtheism (reviewed here), albeit in different versions.

But, as you already know if you’ve been following this site, we really like Arditi. As such, when they release something new, we buy it. This was no exception.

In essence, everything we wrote in the two reviews linked to above applies to this one. If you want to put it snidely, Arditi are sort of the AC/DC of martial industrial: everything they do sounds pretty much the same. They have one blueprint, and stick to it.

The downside is pretty obvious, and was already stated above: Arditi is quite samey. For a more casual listener of martial industrial, this will mean not every Arditi release is a must. The most distinguishing aspect of this release is that there are actual lyrics to two tracks – delivered in a spoken recitation. However, as long-time friends of the project will know, Arditi often utilize lengthy spoken word samples, meaning the profundity of this new element is not as strong as it may seem.

But there’s an upside to this, as well. And it is exaclty the same as with AC/DC: when you’ve mastered a thing, you’ve mastered a thing. This means that Arditi expertly create material based on the aforementioned blueprint. So, if this renders their expression stylistically narrow, it also helps ensure quality.

And so, Insignia Of The Sun is another example of Arditi style martial industrial. Domineering martial percussions, orchestral arrangements, industrial drones, samples aplenty; epic atmospheres of war and belligerence, a sensation of foreboding and impending doom permeating all. As before, the production makes it sound like the music is coming from some distance; a doom on the horizon or swords awaiting at dawn.

Considering only 50% of the material is entirely new to this Insignia Of The Sun, it’s pretty easy to say that this is not the most essential recent Arditi release. However, I do feel that qualitywise, it gels better together than either Bloodtheism or Emblem Of Victory. We’re not talking leagues apart, but I do feel that Insignia Of The Sun is the most potent of the three. At least by a hair’s breadth.

As such, the end verdict is as predictable as Arditi itself. Casual listeners and those who feel their collection already has all the Arditi they need, need not bother. This release does in no way renew or reimagine neither Arditi’s style nor aesthetics. Fans and friends of the project, on the other hand, will not come away disappointed or empty handed. Arditi doing what they do best means, despite the sameyness, some of the best martial industrial on offer in this day and age.

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