In a review for Metal Wani, Prateek Kulkarni called it "Mantar's best album yet" and added that The Modern Art of Setting Ablaze blows Ode out of the water for me. It is heavier, filthier and the vocals sound wretched – how I like my sludge". Kulkarni also stated that "there isn't a bad track on this album, but if I have to mention some personal standout tracks, "Age of the Absurd", "Eternal Return", "Obey the Obscene" and "The Formation of Night".