Year : 2015 Style : Power Metal , Heavy Metal Country : Sweden Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video Size : 116 mb
Bio:
It’s rare for new bands to get any real recognition right from the off, especially in a country like Sweden where new bands of all styles are two-a-penny, but Manimal are no puppies and are radically different to the norm. Formed in Gothenburg in 2001, the group grew from within the local scene when singer Samuel Nyman joined a band consisting of Henrik Stenroos (guitar), Richard Mentzer (drums) and his brother Pether (bass); but it wasn’t long before the guys found that Samuel’s characteristic high pitched style complemented the band’s music so superbly that it made for stunning songs that had so far eluded all previous efforts. After appearances at Sweden Rocks and Metaltown amongst others, and also on countless support bills to bands such as Mustasch, the Entombed, The Poodles and Circus Maximus, they released their debut album for the AFM family “The Darkest Room” in 2009 and now, with new agents in Red Lion Music, look set to be on the up. Watch out for that name in 2011.
Album:
Gothenburg's Manimal has with "Trapped in the Shadows" a new longplayer added to their discography. Actually it is the second album that follows the debut from 2009.A few days ago the four guys have played at the Heavy Metal Maniacs festival in Amstelveen, Netherlands. The setlist at that time was already filled with quite some new songs and I can tell you that the band succeeded with their performance. The crowd liked what they heard and Manimal played a pretty good show. The new stuff fit perfect together with the older tunes - a thing that shows that the band didn't change a lot in their sound. It's rather a development than a change.Manimal is still playing power metal that has, due to the high pitch of Samuel Nyman, also a certain Judas Priest touch. The opener "Irresistable" is such a song that is fast and reminds partly to Halford & Co."March of Madness" is next. It's a number that comes with a sharp riff and a quite melodic chorus. "The Dark" lifes up to its name since it is a gloomy track that is followed by the title track; a song that is pure power.In general I must say that the first half of the album is better than second one. Towards the end a few weaker songs found a way on the tracklist. Not that they are bad ones; the just can't life up to the excellent beginning.An expemption is "The Journey" with some guest vocals of Udo Dirkschneider. Already the fact that this iconic singer joins for a song shows that Manimal has a great musical base to build on."Trapped in the Shadows" is a good power metal album that includes some real highlights. Sometimes the high vocals become a bit annoying, but if Nyman varies more, like in some tracks, Manimal can have a glorious future. This time it is well meant seven points.
Line Up:
Samuel "Sam" Nyman - Vocals Pether "Pete" Mentzer - Bass Henrik "Hank" Stenroos - Guitars Richard "Rikki" Mentzer - Drums
Tracklist:
01. Irresistible 06:02 02. March of Madness 04:35 03. The Dark 04:57 04. Trapped in the Shadows 04:12 05. Invincible 05:19 06. Man-Made Devil 05:26 07. Silent Messiah 06:01 08. The Journey 04:12 09. Screaming Out 04:16 10. Psychopomp 05:15
Year : 2018 Style : Power Metal , Heavy Metal Country : Sweden Audio : 320 kbps + all scans + Video Size : 116 mb
Bio:
It’s rare for new bands to get any real recognition right from the off, especially in a country like Sweden where new bands of all styles are two-a-penny, but Manimal are no puppies and are radically different to the norm. Formed in Gothenburg in 2001, the group grew from within the local scene when singer Samuel Nyman joined a band consisting of Henrik Stenroos (guitar), Richard Mentzer (drums) and his brother Pether (bass); but it wasn’t long before the guys found that Samuel’s characteristic high pitched style complemented the band’s music so superbly that it made for stunning songs that had so far eluded all previous efforts. After appearances at Sweden Rocks and Metaltown amongst others, and also on countless support bills to bands such as Mustasch, the Entombed, The Poodles and Circus Maximus, they released their debut album for the AFM family “The Darkest Room” in 2009 and now, with new agents in Red Lion Music, look set to be on the up. Watch out for that name in 2011.
Album:
A band needs plenty of exceptional compositional talent to record an album that sounds monolithic despite the fact that the individual songs ooze a wide range of different details and special features. Since its foundation in 2001, Manimal from Gothenburg has successfully mastered this feat for the third time. Despite their loyalty to traditional influences, their previous albums "The Darkest Room" (2009) and "Trapped In The Shadows" (2015) were prime examples of modern and trendsetting power metal characterised by musical enthusiasm and new ideas. Their latest recording "Purgatorio" sees the four-piece take their outstanding qualities to the brink of perfection. Throughout their nine new songs the musicians pull out all the stops, presenting a number of different tempos and atmospheres and impressing with chorus parts that have true anthem potential. "Our goal has always been to write songs that we love and believe in. The challenge is to make a song with strong hooks without being too predictable. It's just a bonus when we realize that people around the world seem to have the same good taste in music that we have", jokes frontman Samuel Nyman.As usual, Nyman is at the epicentre of this amazing album that features one highlight after the other. Inspired by Rob Halford, Geoff Tate and Michael Kiske, his voice oozes aplomb and pure passion, blending perfectly with the intelligent songwriting, courtesy of guitarist Henrik Stenroos, a true riff icon whose hooks and licks provide the foundation for Manimal’s songs. Equally important for the band's typical flair are drummer André Holmqvist and bassist Kenny Boufadene. Holmqvist has a tight, powerful drum style that comes surprisingly close to paragons such as Tommy Lee and Mike Portnoy and he also co-wrote the lyrics on "Purgatorio" with Nyman, while Boufadene was in charge of mixing the new album and also produces his band’s videos.Blessed with such diverse talents, it's hardly surprising that Manimal took the most important studio parameters into their own hands again during the production of "Purgatorio". "Just like our previous two albums, we produced this one ourselves. Mainly because we like to have full control of the production. We're control freaks to the bone and the thought of putting our creations into the hands of an external producer simply scares us", Nyman confesses. However, they took renowned support on board for some aspects: the drums were recorded by Jakob Herrmann (Anthrax, Europe, Machine Head, Evergrey) at the Top Floor Studios, the album was mastered by Tony Lindgren at Jens Bogren's famous Fascination Street Studios and the cover artwork was designed by Claudio Bergamin (Judas Priest). So "Purgatorio" impresses in every respect, from the first note of the opener "Black Plague" to the final sound of the last track, "The Fear Within". The title song and "Edge Of Darkness" see the band present their typical mélange of haunting melodies, classy grooves and that latent melancholia that is one of their typical trademarks. On the other hand there are a number of tracks which are unusual for Manimal, such as "Denial" featuring a riff that brings Rammstein to mind and "Spreading The Dread" with its remarkable rhythm.Remains only one question to be answered: why did Manimal decide on an Italian title? Nyman: "First, it's the title of one of the strongest songs of the album. Second, it's a powerful word that fits perfectly as the title of a metal album in general and this recording in particular. For me, it reflects the state of mankind and the world today - the general, ongoing decay which we seem to lack the ability to stop. Many of the lyrics on the album circle around that kind of theme. "Purgatorio" is also the original title of the second part of great Dante Alighieri's masterpiece "The Divine Comedy". It's not the first time that we've found inspiration in that specific work of literature."
Line Up:
Samuel "Sam" Nyman - Vocals Kenny Boufadene - Bass - See also: ex-One Without, ex-The Deliverance, ex-The Deafening Silence, We Are the Catalyst Henrik "Hank" Stenroos - Guitars André Holmqvist - Drums - See also: Ice Age, ex-Zero Illusions, ex-Pain and Passion
Tracklist:
01. Black Plague 02. Purgatorio 03. Manimalized 04. Spreading The Dread 05. Traitor 06. Behind Enemy Lines 07. Denial 08. Edge Of Darkness 09. The Fear Within
Year : 2021 Style : Power Metal , Heavy Metal Country : Sweden Audio : 320 kbps + all scans Size : 116 mb
Bio:
It’s rare for new bands to get any real recognition right from the off, especially in a country like Sweden where new bands of all styles are two-a-penny, but Manimal are no puppies and are radically different to the norm. Formed in Gothenburg in 2001, the group grew from within the local scene when singer Samuel Nyman joined a band consisting of Henrik Stenroos (guitar), Richard Mentzer (drums) and his brother Pether (bass); but it wasn’t long before the guys found that Samuel’s characteristic high pitched style complemented the band’s music so superbly that it made for stunning songs that had so far eluded all previous efforts. After appearances at Sweden Rocks and Metaltown amongst others, and also on countless support bills to bands such as Mustasch, the Entombed, The Poodles and Circus Maximus, they released their debut album for the AFM family “The Darkest Room” in 2009 and now, with new agents in Red Lion Music, look set to be on the up. Watch out for that name in 2011.
Album:
The new record, "Armageddon", is a high energy, in-your-face salute to the music that inspired Manimal's formation over 20 years ago. "Armageddon" showcases Manimal as a band unafraid to unleash an own brand of power metal on the world. The songwriting has become tighter, stronger & bolder and - as musicians - the members have improved by leaps and bounds.More than two decades after Manimal’s millennium formation, the Swedish quartet is back with its fourth studio album. It seems insane that the band is entering its third decade and we are only at record number four, but even more surreal is how the band continues to fly under the radar of traditional metal fans around the globe. Hopefully, the birth of Armageddon this fall will help to change that tragic oversight.Manimal was born in 2000, the product of a longtime partnership between guitarist and principal composer Henrik Stenroos and vocalist Samuel Nyman. It took the band nearly a decade before it released a stunner of a debut with 2009’s The Darkest Room. That was the first year I got to know Nyman, a man whose vocal prowess recalled the like of Rob Halford, Geoff Tate, and King Diamond, among others. The Darkest Room was packed with huge riffs and big melodies. Songs like “Living Dead,” “I Am,” “Human Nature”, and my personal favorite, “Spinegrinder” are pure crushing metal. Still, for all its captivating glory, the first record also showcased a band working to define its sound. AFM Records chose to market them as a power metal band which is significantly off the mark, as they are truly a traditional metal outfit, albeit with power and progressive metal inklings.Six long years would pass before Manimal returned with its sophomore effort, Trapped in the Shadows. The time away helped the band solidify its line-up with the addition of bassist Kenny Boufadene and drummer André Holmqvist. More important, the foursome emerged with a more refined signature sound. From the ripping opening riffs of “Irresistible” the band were clearly banging on all cylinders. Manimal is band that wears its influences on its sleeve, and listeners can clearly hear elements of metal heroes such as Judas Priest, Queensryche, Saxon, Accept, and Primal Fear. “Screaming Out” became on ominous and darkly moving personal pick along with the buzzsaw title cut.This paved the way for the band’s third opus, Purgatorio, hands down one of 2018’s best metal offerings. Album opener, “Black Plague” is a blistering metal anthem in the vein of Priest and Accept, while the title track is wonderfully melodic and packed with progressive nuance. From top to bottom, the album is a perfect companion piece to its predecessor. Manimal continues to evolve here but retains the glory of its past.Now three years hence, Armageddon is set to arrive. The record’s opener, “Burn in Hell” brings the creepy factor with Nyman’s mad cackling and the eerie backdrop of a child’s jack-in-the-box toy winding its way towards explosion. Razor riffs and pummeling rhythms drag the listener into the dark void.This is followed by the record’s title track, which rains down muscular fretwork and sternum caving drum work. The riffs and even some of Nyman’s vocals, spider walk through the speakers with portentous menace. Conversely, “Slaves of Babylon” begins with a bouncy old school Saxon vibe ala “Dallas 1PM,” before taking a left turn into serpentine madness. Boufadene even throws in some harsh guttural vocal moments before the solo. The chorus is another soaring earworm.“Forged in Metal” is exactly what the title might suggest, a pulverizing, riff-centric, anthemic, fists-in-the-air headbanger. This song reminds me that while Manimal are masters at channeling their musical inspirations, they have managed to create their own signature style, from Nyman’s vocals to Henrik’s readily identifiable guitar sound. Song by song, you just find yourself snapping those neck muscles, playing your air guitar, and thumping your feet against the ground. “Path to the Unknown” is another stand out track, sinister and haunting.The record’s final track, aptly titled, “The Inevitable End,” unwinds with more chugging rhythms and roiling riffage. Nyman’s voice quickly sets the tone with a stunning balance between rising falsetto’s and melodic and edgy delivery. Throughout Armageddon, Stenroos is in his six-string element, and Boufadene and Holmqvist are simply thundering beasts.Technical, heavy, frenetic, and imposing yet still completely accessible and melodic. That’s what Manimal deliver with Armageddon. The production is massive but not overdone. All four members of the band are in lockstep with one another and on top of their game with every performance. Having retired from writing about music earlier this year (after 4+ decades), I had to peek my head out to see if Manimal could keep its momentum going, and they did not let me down. Armageddon has been in heavy rotation with me for a while now. While K.K.s Priest failed to inspire me, Manimal delivered exactly what this traditional metalhead longed for. If you are looking for fantastic, riff-heavy, vintage metal in the vein of our pioneering heroes, this is a band you should be listening to.
Line Up:
Samuel "Sam" Nyman - Vocals Henrik "Hank" Stenroos Guitars Kenny Boufadene - Bass - See also: ex-One Without, ex-The Deliverance, ex-The Deafening Silence, We Are the Catalyst André Holmqvist - Drums - See also: Ice Age, ex-Zero Illusions, ex-Pain and Passion
Tracklist:
01. Burn In Hell 02. Armageddon 03. Slaves Of Babylon 04. Forged In Metal 05. Chains Of Fury 06. Evil Soul 07. Path To The Unknown 08. Master Of Pain 09. Insanity 10. The Inevitable End
