Metal Reviews

Well, Manticora's newest came out about a week ago and it's a bit of a departure from their usual MO. For one thing, it's their first since 2001's Darkness With Tales to Tell to not be a concept album. It contains their longest song, Safe, which is also their only song to be over ten minutes since Roots of Eternity from their debut album. Most importantly, the power/progressive metal aspects of their music have been diminished in favour of more thrash and even some metalcore moments.

I've listened to it a few times and though I love a few songs (In the Abyss of Desperation, A Lake that Drained and the 14 minute long Safe in particular) I'm still not sure what to think of it as a whole. On the one hand, I really dislike the production- it emphasises that low end in a way that reminds me of hardcore. And while every song has its great moments, there are also sections which annoy me. Take From the Pain of Loss as an example. Decent verse section, great chorus, some nice lead/bass call and response at 2:50. But then there's that hardcorish breakdown at 3:07, or the use of death metal growls at 1:33 which don't match well with Lars' vocals at all.

So, I'm going to give this one some more listens and see what my final opinion is- Manticora is after all one of my favourite bands. I was wondering if anyone else had heard it and what your thoughts were. If anyone wants a sample, here's the video for From the Pain of Loss (note that the video is hilariously bad, but it's a metal vid, so what can you do?).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBFeI3bqmoc

I thought that track was great.

x2 the song kicked ass

Manticora is such an underrated band. They make some good albums like the Black Circus albums,8 Deadly Sins,etc.

I hope the album is just as good as BC 1 and 2.

I do not like that song or that video one bit. Going to listen to the full album now, but I'm a bit nervous.

Manticora is an acquired taste. Lars' voice is unique, and indeed not the best voice, certainly not the worst...it's Lars, you know.
I love 95% of their songs, think 4% is OK, and don't like 1%. So evidently I think SAFE hit the nail right on the spot. it's dark, it's fast, it's innovative, but it's still Manticora. They've made some interesting choices, sure, but that's what metal is all about: just trying to make stuff work. And SAFE works for me. It's not their best album, but it's good! very good!
And Manticora is indeed one of the most under-appreciated bands ever. very sad!