Misanthropic Aggression - Insect Politics
If you like your social and political outrage served with a side of crust, then Misanthropic Aggression’s new album, Insect Politics, is one to check out. This album is an assault on the senses right from the opening track.
The first track, Social Ruin, slaps you in the face with its quick pace and dives straight into the album’s core political themes. At a minute and twelve seconds, it’s not the shortest track on the album, but it delivers a fast-paced commentary on the implications of social media—a strong introduction that sets the tone for the journey ahead.
The riff onslaught continues with the title track, Insect Politics. While I’m not entirely sure if this track is a direct commentary on today’s brutality, the title does harken back to Cronenberg’s The Fly and Seth’s observation that insects have no politicians because of their cruel, indifferent nature.
Social and political themes weave through every track on this album, and it’s one of the few that compelled me to read the lyrics as I listened. It’s not just the music that grabs you; the lyrics pull you in, prompting deeper thought and even some extra research to fully grasp what each song is trying to convey.
That said, not every track digs into heavy concepts. Some, like Bliss, express a straightforward frustration with working dead-end jobs. Another track, Winner of the Franchise Wars, goes off the rails a bit with its humorous nod to “Taco Bell the Franchise Winner.”
If there’s a Black Metal album with more connection to social and political themes, I haven’t heard it until now.
This album has a bit of everything: incredible musicianship, thought-provoking lyrics, a cohesive theme, and even a touch of humor. Considering the band is made up of only two members—Jake Benedict and Chris T. Hammer—it’s impressive that they’ve created such a well-thought-out, potentially influential album that may inspire other bands in the years to come.
It took me a couple of listens to fully get into Insect Politics, and following along with the lyric sheet helped deepen my understanding of its themes. This is the kind of music I live for. While there’s a place for beer-swilling, party-all-night metal, there’s also a place for this more intellectual, thought-provoking approach.
If you’re a fan of both Black Metal and lyrics that make you question the state of the world, I highly recommend giving this album a full listen. Take the time to dig into the messages behind the songs—I think you’ll gain a greater respect for the band’s vision, which clearly played a big role in the creation of these tracks.