Release
date: April 15th 2016. Label: Nuclear Blast Records.
Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Ode
To The Flame – Tracklisting
1.Carnal
Rising
2.Praise
The Plaque
3.Era
Borealis
4.The
Hint
5.Born
Reversed
6.OZ
7.I,
Omen
8.Cross
The Cross
9.Schwanenstein
10.Sundowning
Band
Members:
Hanno
– Vocals/Guitar
Erinc
– Drums/Vocals
Review:
Mantar
are back with the follow up to their highly acclaimed "Death By
Burning" album released back in 2014. And they're back in fine
form, picking up where they left off the last time, but seemingly not
happy to just repeat what's gone before.
Album
opener "Carnal Rising" is a short sharp blast of Black
Metal tinged punk as fuck sludge, which is the perfect way to kick
things off. It bears the distinctive sound that this two man riff
machine have perfectly honed during their time together, but hints
that there is more to come throughout this record.
And
Mantar don't fail to deliver on that promise. You can tell at all
times throughout "Ode To The Flame" that this is a Mantar
record, but everything seems more intense. Yeah, you read that right.
More intense. The riffs are more developed, and the drums are even
more aggressive and expressive than before and the vocals filled with
even more spite and passion.
"Era
Borealis" and the magnificent "Born Reversed" show
that whilst this record may be heavier and more aggressive than
previous efforts, Mantar are not afraid to deliver riffs and hooks a
plenty. SO many hooks. Like a fucking pirate convention.....
Track
7 "I Omen" sees something different happening. A Hammond
Organ (or something along those lines) opens the track, before
business as normal as Hanno unleashes that familiar growl over some
more blackened and fucking filthy riffs.
The
album closes on the ridiculous "Sundowning" which for me is
the not only the standout track of the album, but so far the year.
Honestly it's that fucking good. Growled vocals, over long drawn out
cords backed up by the thunderous tom work of Erinc Sakarya, switch
masterfully between more up tempo sections and the ending is about as
punk rock as you could wish for, as everything fades away leaving
just the drums to conclude the track.
My
first introduction to Mantar was on the live stage, and if you've
seen them you know just how furious and exciting they are to watch,
coupled with their set up on stage of playing opposite one another
(Sideways drums). Mantar deliver
that ferocity in spades on record as well. 2016 has already seen some
monstrous releases with even more to follow, but for me so far this
record is sitting in pole position.
Words
by Simon Ross Williams
Ode
To The Flame will be available to buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from NuclearBlast Records USA and Nuclear Blast Records Europe on April 15th
2016.
Links:
