| Artist |
| Mantus |
| Title |
| Demut |
| Format/Cat |
| CD Tri 386 |
| Label |
| Trisol |
| Style |
| Symphonic Metal |
| Date of review |
| 6th June 2010 |
| Reviewer |
| Carl Jenkinson |
| Rating |
| 8/10 |
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The most amazing thing about this album is not the dynamic heights it regularly hits nor is it the sheer majesty that is a constant feature of its 12 tracks; no, the most amazing thing about it is that it took only two people to turn out such a massive sound, namely Martin & Tina (no doubt it would take a few more musicians to present this 'properly' on stage but that's another matter!!). I'm actually convinced that if the term 'symphonic goth metal' were ever included in the dictionary just a few seconds of this album would provide a better definition that a thousand words ever could as, throughout, the duo concoct a truly epic, full-blooded symphonic sound that's formed through a barrage of heavy guitars backed by symphonic strings (with standout tracks such as 'Fallen' & the excellent 'Endlos' being a prime example of the heights this album reaches) that is offset in places by some touching piano work while the rhythms provide a constant backdrop to the overwhelming musical vistas. The melancholic vocal style that the duo adopt add a more understated gothic-edge to the album, providing a definite contrast to the trumped up music, particularly on tracks such as the opening 'Vanitas' (although the choir recital of 'Hallelujah' soon ups the pompous ante once more!!) & 'Traenen Eines Clows', where the massed choir, strings & guitars again make for an epic experience. And that is very much what the album is about, continuing on its way in more or less the same fashion although the closing 'Gespenster' is likely to make you sit up & listen as the opening chords are a ringer for ABC's The Look Of Love & while it soon becomes obvious that this is where the similarity ends I'd be surprised if more people didn't notice it! I've no doubt that fans of such bands as Within Temptation & the like (you know, the bands with gorgeous female singers & lots of hairy blokes in the background!) will find plenty to love here &, while Mantus lack the commercial edge that is usually present with such bands, there's no reason why they shouldn't enjoy a decent level of success.
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