The Modern Art of Setting Ablaze cover

The Modern Art of Setting Ablaze

Mantar · 2018

47 min · 12 tracks · sludge metal

A fierce blend of sludge metal and dark, atmospheric elements that confronts listeners with raw intensity and haunting melodies.

Top tracks — play these first

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    Age of the Absurd — This track encapsulates the album's core thematic tension between chaos and clarity, featuring relentless rhythms paired with introspective lyrics that challenge societal norms.
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    Obey the Obscene — With its driving force and anthemic chorus, this song serves as a rallying cry against mediocrity, showcasing Mantar's ability to blend aggression with insightful commentary.
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    The Funeral — Closing the album on a somber yet powerful note, this track combines melodic elements with heavy instrumentation, effectively summarizing the emotional journey throughout the record.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100
Treeline
Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album balances raw intensity with atmospheric elements, showcasing strong songwriting and cohesive flow.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate atmospheric interludes with clean guitar melodies, creating contrast between heavy sections and more melodic passages.
  • The album closes with a slow, brooding track that gradually builds intensity before fading out, providing a sense of resolution.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Eternal Return

    A stark shift in perspective occurs when the narrative voice confronts the cyclical nature of existence directly, creating a moment of philosophical reflection.

    This pivot emphasizes a critical thematic element of the album: the struggle against inevitability, inviting listeners to question their own patterns of behavior.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 The Knowing 1:50
  • 2 Age of the Absurd 3:40
  • 3 Seek + Forget 4:05
  • 4 Taurus 4:28
  • 5 Midgard Serpent (Seasons of Failure) 4:20
  • 6 Dynasty of Nails 4:42
  • 7 Eternal Return 3:47
  • 8 Obey the Obscene 4:18
  • 9 Anti Eternia 3:50
  • 10 The Formation of Night 4:14
  • 11 Teeth of the Sea 3:15
  • 12 The Funeral 5:15

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata