What happens when a drummer in upstate New York and a multi-instrumentalist in Mexico forge a metal album without ever sharing a room? You get Natura Ignite, an alt and progressive metal duo who’ve dropped one of the most ensnaring and cohesive debut records of the year. Released in August 2024, ‘Artisan Of The Heart’ arrives as an expansive and wonderfully visceral blend of bright, experimental ideas and well-trodden paths, powered by the sweat and passion of Chris Morino (drums) and Tony Aguilar (guitars, bass, vocals).
Unfolding across eight tracks, ‘Artisan Of The Heart’ is a titanic undertaking, easily carving through almost an hour of dark, captivating sounds that confidently straddle the line between melody and technical practise. Throughout, you find stark echoes of modern metal’s heavy hitters carefully interwoven with the weight of something new.
Eschewing standard rock time signatures, the duo builds much of the album’s foundation in 6/8, breaking away from the norm to carve something new. This rhythmic departure acts as a powerful launchpad for the band, creating a constantly moving and evolving space. Every song here easily glides past the five-minute mark, and despite the heavier run times, the structures are so compelling and fluid that you never feel the length.
Songs like ‘The Burning Soul’ and ‘Healed’ quickly illustrate this style, creating a timeless sense of wonder that draws you in. Elsewhere, songs like ‘Demons’ and ‘Awaken’ show the free, almost instinctive energy behind Natura Ignite’s style, while ‘The Burden’ and ‘The Creators’ remove any doubt about their abilities to write more explosive, dominant, and unyielding tracks.
Conceptually, Chris and Tony have shaped the album around the idea of understanding the self, grappling with the ego, and ultimately, becoming the artisans of our own life experience. This lyrical and emotional core grounds the heavier moments, giving tracks like ‘The Burning Soul’, ‘Healed’, and ‘Awaken’ a genuine philosophical weight.
While Natura Ignite may still be racking up the numbers, the immediate quality and professional execution of ‘Artisan Of The Heart’ point to immense long-term potential. This debut is a deeply engaging listen, rich in sonic colour and brimming with high-calibre musicianship.
You can stream the new album above on Spotify, and for more, be sure to find the band on Instagram.
