MANTICORA: To Kill To Live To Kill (HEAVY METAL): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

It has been more than eight years since Manticora released its latest album, "Safe", in 2008. Since then, the band has had a great stage activity but without releasing any new original material. "To Kill To Live To Kill" is the first part of the adaptation of a short story written by singer Lars Larsen in the form of a double concept album.

As an intro, the Danes serve us an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's anecdotal Piano Concerto No. 1 before pushing the accelerator pedal to the max with 'Echoes Of A Silent Scream' with its speed/thrash rhythm and dazzling riffs but lacking a bit of melodic force. The issue is quickly rectified with the next three tracks, equally energetic but with much more punchy melodies and the instrumental 'Humiliation Supreme' that pushes the bpm to a climax.

Manticora returned to a richer writing where the multiple phases are skillfully intertwined, the riffs are all sharper and the rhythm changes are frequent. These progressive aspects can be found in the multiple instrumental parts that are found in the dense tracks, mostly between 6 and 9 minutes. The rhythm almost never weakens and the heavy riffs follow one another reminding Metallica, the Iron Maiden of the "Powerslave" years ('Katana - Awakening The Lunacy' and 'The Farmer's Tale Pt 1' - The Aftermath Of Indifference'), or Blind Guardian whose Lars' vocals is quite close.

Paradoxically, the most epic track 'Growth' is perhaps the most indigestible with less fluid tempo changes and some vocals too metal-opera typed, but well compensated by a refrain with a saving melody. The last quarter of the album is not as intense with a dispensable power ballad and two final pieces echoing previous tracks with an Ihsahn-like break at the heart of 'The Farmer's Tale Pt 2 - Annihilation At The Graves'. Only the frenzy of 'Katana - Opium' catches the attention with an infernal rhythm, Dantesque solos and a breathtaking finale.

After 70 minutes of speed, thrash and heavy music at such a sustained rhythm, Manticora will certainly have lost some of the listeners along the way. But those who will have stayed will discover new subtleties with each listening as it is difficult to assimilate such density in one go. Let's now wait impatiently for the next part to see the work as a whole. - Official website

MANTICORA

TO KILL TO LIVE TO KILL

VICISOLUM PRODUCTIONS

HEAVY METAL