Superior Rage – “In Memoriam” – Atanathos

In the vast and often frostbitten landscape of Italian black metal, there is an entity that has navigated between the shadows of anonymity and the light of innovation for nearly two decades. Superior Rage, the project led by the tireless vision of the eponymous musician, has returned in 2025 with a work that not only looks back at the past with respect but projects a future filled with symphonic and atmospheric nuances. Their new EP, «In Memoriam», is more than a simple collection of tracks; it is a statement of principles, a «resurrection and refinement» that redefines the band’s legacy.

As a fan who has followed the evolution of extreme metal from its crudest forms to its most avant-garde branches, I find it fascinating how a project can transition from the minimalist coldness of its 2006 beginnings to the pulsating, vibrant warmth it exhibits today. «In Memoriam» is the result of a nineteen-year journey marked by hiatuses, lineup changes, and, above all, an unceasing search for the «definitive listening experience.»

To understand the weight of «In Memoriam», it is imperative to break down the chronology of Superior Rage. Born in 2006, the project initially presented itself as a raw black metal proposal, but with a seed of symphonic darkness that would germinate over time. That first 2008 demo already suggested we were not dealing with a typical raw black metal band; there was an atmospheric intention that solidified in «Through Infinity» (2010).

The period between 2011 and 2014 was perhaps the most experimental, with an incursion into pure symphonic black metal in their third work, «III», and the interesting «Fire Eternal» EPs, where they deconstructed genre classics through an ambient lens. However, as often happens with projects of such personal vision, the 2014 hiatus seemed like the end of a chapter. Fortunately, the 2022 resurgence and the subsequent «Anthology» (2024) paved the way for what we have in our hands today: a renewed lineup and a sound that has abandoned the «freezing» of its previous productions to embrace a more organic production full of life.

The «In Memoriam» EP is structured on two fundamental pillars: the re-recording of band classics and the presentation of unreleased material that marks the new stylistic direction.

The true jewel of this work lies in its new tracks. «The Death of the Red Dragon» is a masterful piece that summarizes the current essence of Superior Rage. Here, the synths are not mere ornaments but the connective tissue joining the guitars’ aggression with a tragic and epic atmosphere. Maikon’s drumming provides a physical punch that the minimalist productions of the past yearned for, while Hrafnagud’s guitars draw soundscapes that evoke both fury and desolation.

On the other hand, «Soleright» (which already peeked out in the «Back to the Crypt» promo) shows us the project’s most pulsating facet. Thanks to the inclusion of session musicians, the music breathes. It is no longer a static entity; it is a beating organism. Baelithiel’s vocals provide a narrative texture that perfectly complements the central vision of Superior Rage, creating a duality between the human and the ethereal that is the hallmark of high-end atmospheric black metal.

Re-recording classics is always a risky bet. One runs the risk of losing the «magic» of the original rawness. However, in «In Memoriam», pieces like «Asmodeus Bacchic» and «Indecent Condition» take on a new dimension. The version of «Indecent Condition» features guitars by Nemorion, who provides a technical clarity that highlights harmonies that were buried under distortion back in 2006.

The evolution of «Asmodeus Bacchic» is especially notable. Where there was once cold minimalism, there is now a robust symphonic structure. The lyrics and synths, the direct responsibility of the project’s founder, feel more integrated, proving that the nearly decade-long hiatus served to refine both the ear and the compositional technique.

Superior Rage has been intelligent in recognizing its own limits and opening its doors to external talent. As the founder himself states, the contribution of session musicians has made the music «more vibrant.» Hrafnagud’s work on the guitars of the most epic tracks and Maikon’s precision behind the kit have transformed what could have been an exercise in nostalgia into a globally competitive contemporary work.

Baelithiel’s vocals deserve a special mention. Her performance on the new material brings an emotional weight that moves the project away from genre clichés. There is a sophistication in her delivery that fits perfectly with the atmospheric pretensions of this EP.

The concept of «returning to the crypt» should not be understood as a step backward, but as a return to the origin with better tools. The production of «In Memoriam» achieves a difficult balance: it maintains the necessary darkness for the genre but with a clarity that allows one to appreciate every layer of synthesizer and every bass arrangement.

Visually and conceptually, the EP closes a circle. From that 2008 demo to the present, Superior Rage has built a coherent imagery. Maturity is noted in the restraint; they no longer need to scream to be heard—the atmosphere they create speaks for itself.

«In Memoriam» is undoubtedly the most complete and satisfying work from Superior Rage to date. It is the perfect bridge between the symphonic black metal of the early 2010s and modern atmospheric metal. It manages to satisfy the veteran fan looking for the essence of the original demos while possessing the quality to attract a new generation of listeners who value high-fidelity production and intricate compositions.

The project has shown that resilience pays off. After nearly twenty years of intermittent history, Superior Ragepositions itself today as one of the most interesting and vibrant voices in Italian extreme metal. «In Memoriam» is not an epitaph; it is the roar of a dragon that refused to die and has returned stronger, wiser, and darker than ever.

Score: 9.0 / 10

A full-blown resurrection. Superior Rage has achieved what few long-running projects manage: reinventing themselves without losing their identity. «In Memoriam» is a top-tier atmospheric journey that places the project at the forefront of South American symphonic metal. Essential for lovers of dense atmospheres and productions with soul.