Misanthropic Rage - Igne Natura Renovatur Integra

MISANTHROPIC RAGE - Igne Natura Renovatur Integra (GODZ OV WAR CD 2018)

Misanthropic Rage's first album "Gates No Longer Shut" didn't manage to convince me. Rather forgettable album, which hardly ever captured my attention - that's how I could describe it. 2018 welcomes the release of "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra", which is Misanthropic Rage's second album... and well, I can sincerely admit that this one is better. Still too fuckin weird in some fragments, but the balance between all that bizarre stuff or parts, which I didn't like so much and really fantastic and impressive moments is in favour for the latter. Good! Now I can say that "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" is worthy of my recommendation. 

First off, it's important to point out that Misanthropic Rage doesn't play common and traditional black metal. Nope, they blend black with death, doom, post-metal, even doom and spice it all with strong progressive sort of style. I can admit that the sound they achieved is very original and probably intriguing enough to win many supporters. At least those, who like to hear untypical song structures, guitar work, which is not limited to three chords and vocals, which are more varied than just monotonous scream, will like it. Without a doubt, "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" is an album, which offers music on very high level and quality, which is unreachable for many bands. Give a listen to any song - doesn't matter which one you'll choose - and find a proof. Find out also how diverse the music is, never sticking to one formula, but always switching styles and finding new ways of expression. Such "Call All Your Angels" is a fine example - this song offers whole palette of styles and is a good representative for the whole album. Peaceful, calm parts are mixed with a bit more progressive stuff, but there's also plenty of harsh and aggressive blasting black metal to get even stronger result. What do you think? 

I will not hide that I like the vicious and aggressive part of "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" the most... and I'm glad that they appear more than just once. 'Become a God-Man" is definitely a good example, part of "Call All your Angels" as well. But I also like how Misanthropic Rage incorporates some sort of post rock'ish type of drilling melodies (like those in "I.N.R.I." and "The Agony of Breath"), which surprisingly correspondent perfectly with the entire mixture of styles, which "Igne Natura Renovatur Integra" presents. Sometimes it all sounds like going from extreme to extreme, with two completely opposite types of metal clenching and trying to prevail. Yet neither succeeds and the balance is intact. I quite like this diversity, but I have to admit that the only thing, which pisses me off in Misanthropic Rage music are clean vocals. I don't like them at all, they sound weak and rather disturb me than give a good impression. Sorry. 

I also need to mention a totally flawless, perfect production, which the band achieved here, I really like how it all sounds, how heavy it is. Couple of songs with Polish lyrics also stand out on the album, with a bit more vicious and intense character. Even the fact that the album is 50 minutes long doesn't disturb, because there's so much going on here that you don't realize how the time flies. 

Standout tracks: "I.N.R.I.", "The Agony of Breath", "Call All Your Angels", "Abstrakt"  

Verdict: 75/100