Review Summary: Shock horror...album not as bad as trolls suggest!
Without a shadow of a doubt,
Illud Divinum Insanus has to be the most controversial metal release of 2011 thus far. The much anticipated return of death metal legends Morbid Angel, responsible for some benchmark and classic death metal releases such as
Altars Of Madness,
Illud... has not been received well by the kvltists (is that how it's spelt). Scratch that,
Illud Divinum Insanus, if you read internet forums, reviews on other sites and here on Sputnik, is one of the most HATED releases of metal as a whole, certainly within the extreme and underground.
The reason for all this hatred? Well it has to be said that this is certainly Morbid Angel's most experimental release to date, choosing not to recreate their early releases by recording in a cave (
Altars Of Madness is a fantastic album but production wise is lacking) for a more cleanly produced work, which has not set well with those extreme metal kvltists. Also Morbid Angel have chosen to venture away from straight up death metal from which they gained fame and have embraced an industrial side which brings the likes of Rammstein to mind. This has CERTAINLY not gone down well with the elitists as it is utterly wrong to venture away from their original formula obviously! To those said elitists who are bound to scream blue murder and troll away right now it has to be said that it is now and again good to see bands leave their comfort zone and try new things out; and besides its no worse than the change of pace Linkin Park recently attempted!
This all being said
Illud Divinum Insanus is by no means a faultless release, nor is it the bands best or one of their best. As mentioned before this album sees Morbid Angel venture into industrial territory, except this isn't the case over the whole album. Some times there are more straight up death metal moments with no evidence of a love for the industrial in sight, then other times your overrun with the sense that your in actual fact listening to a Rammstein tribute band, and a bad one at that.
First song proper 'Too Extreme!' is one of the more controversial songs of the album, with its more mainstream sounding title, and this is the first case of the heavy industrial influence on the album, and does not generate confidence in the rest of the album. It fails to be catchy and at 6 minutes and 13 seconds is around for way to long, and is an awful choice of an opening song in trying to appeal to their main fanbase. When it is not trying to be Rammstein however and is being a death metal album
Illud... is not that bad. 'Blades for BAAL' and 'Nevermore' for example are very decent songs. But unfortunately there is far too much experimentation that doesn't work to knock the balance.
'I Am Morbid' for example would have been a mighty song if it weren't for the gang chant vocals which do not sit well with the rest of the song, and 'Destructo Vs The Earth' is another example of an industry tinged misfire. Curiously of all is the now infamous 'RADIKULT' which includes a bizarre whispered chant of what sounds like 'Kill a cop' or 'Killer cult' (and seems to be being argued about still, I think its down to interpretation) which has to be said is very unusual, but otherwise the song isn't anywhere near as bad as the forum trolls will tell you. By no means is this a classic, nor is it essential or even fully recommended, but it is by no means anywhere near as bad as the internet trolls will shout and try to shove down your throat. Now if you excuse me, I am going to prepare for the inevitable abuse!
Recommended: Blades for BAAL, Nevermore, Beauty Meets Beast
