Description

Arditi is made up of H. Möller and M. Björkman, who have previously participated in Puissance and Algaion. While Puissance may be associated with black metal and Algaion was indeed a black metal band, there is hardly anything on “Standards Of Triumph” that could be connected with what is commonly thought of as black metal — there are no electric guitars or distorted vocals to be heard. Nevertheless, the album, and especially the likes of “Deathmarch” or “Legionaries”, might still appeal to some black metal fans. Arditi mix industrial and neo-classical soundscapes with a strong militaristic feel, using only samples and synths. This martial component should by no means be played down here: it is at the very core of Arditi’s compositions and sound. (As a side note, Arditi was the name given to some elite divisions of the Italian army during the first World War.) When the more militaristic approach relents for a while, it is usually replaced by a more apocalyptic tone, as in the leaden “The Absolute Essence” or the funereal “Veer and Perish”, bringing welcome variety to the album. Overall, “Standards Of Triumph” succeeds not only in creating the compulsory dense atmosphere required for their musical objectives, but also in keeping the listener interested and immersed in their compositions, and should therefore provide a nice break from metal for most listeners.

Track list:
1. Standards Of Triumph
2. Ploughshares Into Swords
3. Deathmarch
4. Legionaries
5. The Absolute Essence
6. That Day Of Infamy
7. Blood, All Blood
8. Veer And Perish
9. The Sinking Ship