However, when Equilibrium Music asked us if we wanted to write a review for the new Arditi album, we didn't hesitate a moment. So we downloaded the album and loaded it into our media player. Suddenly, before we realized it, we were cleaning again with Arditi playing loud. Suddenly, it was like we never moved on to another genre and like were still fierce fans of this one (apparently we are). Few things change, and that certainly counts for Arditi.
Swedish martial industrial act Arditi has been a forerunner of the genre for decades, and with good reason too. Their unique sound is immediately recognizable on this album. Deep percussion, dark drones and epic neo-classical strings still form the foundation for their music. Here and there some vocal samples are being added to the music. So yes, the elements are similar to what they always do.
Perhaps it's not really renewing anymore and I doubt if Arditi will ever manage to surprise me but I still prefer a decent version of the original over a seasoned artist who doesn't know what he's doing anymore. Arditi definitely know what they stand for and they simply made a brilliant Arditi album. Highlights are opener 'Imposing Elitism' and 'Dawn of a New Mythos', which might be a new highlight in the genre altogether.
Conclusion: everyone who has ever been into martial industrial music and everyone who has ever liked anything Arditi has ever done can blindly trust them to deliver a high quality album. And that is exactly what 'Imposing Elitism' is, a splendid album which no fan should deny. March on, my comrades...
Serge