IATT is an extreme metal band from Pennsylvania, who formed in 2008.  "Magnum Opus" is their third full length album; they have also released five EP's.  Their sound is definitely progressive in structure and black/death in execution.  Or maybe that is the other way around?  Regardless, "Magnum Opus" is an adventurous album written and performed by this very confident band. This is my first time experiencing IATT's music so I have no basis of reference but I can say for certain this is one of the best blackened metal albums I've heard in this first half the year. As a whole, their sound is definitely black metal but progressive and death metal element are also mixed into what is already a sterling sound-I even hear jazz and gothic elements at times. This is a blackened melting post of everything and the kitchen sink; that might seem daunting to the average listener but diving into this album is rewarding to the point where it is like giving your ears an orgasm.

Sure, at times, it can be a little convoluted but it is hard to complain to hard when it's just this goddamn well written. So does the band understand what they have created here? The very title of the album would suggest so but I think you have to be humble with full understand of what you are and are not to create something like this. Regardless of their intentions, it isn't being cocky if you can back it up. "Magnum Opus," would imply a masterpiece and this album is definitely on the cusp of perfect. Despite all the craziness of the album and experimentation, the album is still focused and grounded on first and foremost being a black metal band. That means the album is a non stop ride of aggression and seething atmospheres, no matter what path they follow down. The production is ace and does not have a that cold and clinical, sterile feel that a lot of progressive acts seem to be stuck on. Although it is definitely isn't raw, the polish here is still dim enough to retain a brutal edge rather than have such a fine sheen that it becomes thin. Honestly, this still sounds mostly beefy compared to what it could have been.

The album opens with "Servitude, Subjugate" and its  sweeping tones of violin, a little bit of that Gothic influences I mentioned earlier shining through. The guitars build around a melodic structure, bolstered by the firm bass and crisp drumming. After a minute or so, the famous black metal groove comes rolling in and the band goes from classical to deadly. How about those vocals? Raspy growls and shrieking screams and even low growls...it is all here.    The song slows down with what sounds like some light chanting before going back into more searing heat. As an opening track, this one hits hard and fast but there are many subtleties and details that present themselves upon repeated listens. CRAIG ROSSI of labelmates DRIFT INTO BLACK (I also reviewed their KILLER new album) told me it sounds like "a 1920's tune turned death metal."  If that doesn't hit the nail on the head then I don't know.  It kind of has a swinging type style to it, what with the saxophone and the crazy riffs that back it up.  Just when the chaos comes to a boiling point, a piano movement appears but fits in so well, both coming into and out of the song.

Smooth, jazzy soundscapes are the beginning moments of "Exculpate, Exonerate," and as good as it is, the sound becomes even better with the growls settling over it.  The guitars lend the album this energetic yet sorrowful sound-they mix two different levels of energy into one and pull it off in a big way.  The clean passage returns near the end of the song, complete with the desperate extreme vocals.  The song continues a rising climax and then ends with piano fading out.  A beautiful song if there ever was one. Groovy and slight funky bass begins "Planes Of Our Existence," but it alternates between these unusual moments and black/death but near the end the saxophone throws a monkey wrench into the works but fortunately the band adepts well, adding in flourishes of progressive structures that keep the flow going, some of the music reminding me of "Vertebrae" era ENSLAVED.

The final track is "Chrysopoeia," and it presents a cold and dystopian death metal romp but it has plenty of twists and turns to it, including weird little noises, groove laden riffs, hammering drumming and bass that straight up slaps.  The clean guitar near the end is a nice touch, kind of has a flamenco feel to it before the song ends in spacey black metal. All in all, IATT's "Magnum Opus," is a unique piece of blackened metal that shows that mixing different styles into extreme music can work not only from a professional, song writing standpoint but also from the perspective of someone who just likes good music.