Mantus - Demut
12 March 2010 the newest album of a German band Mantus was released, with music from borderland between gothic rock and gothic-metal. As in case of the previous release Requiem this time as well the band attempted to create dark atmosphere of recalling passing of time, misery and inevitable end, and crowning of it was entitling the album Demut, meaning "ubiquitous power of death". Mantus is made by: Martin Schindler, responsible for music, lyrics and production, and a vocalist Thalia. The latest album was promoted as melancholic but expressive, which was supposed to deliver the listener into a magical, lyrical world of dull chants, mourning and untypically romantic. Is it indeed like this?
The album opens with a track Vanitas which begins with delicate piano sounds just to change into metal-gothic sounding motive in a while coming and going many times during the song. The stanzas are sang by masculine vocal, a rough voice, while in chorus we hear delicate, melodic female vocal. From time to time there are some choir insets getting on to, singing "hallelujah". Vanitas is probably the best track defending itself on the CD. Though simple and too obvious, it’s not too bad listening to it, however, everything we hear next seems to be even less exploratory.
Fallen, has a similar construction. Again it starts from delicate tones and after a while a stronger motive comes in, repeating itself during the track. The vocal melodies are too simple, and instrument al ones, player on keyboards or guitars, are repeated endlessly.
Schuld is even more schematic, bass and drums play constantly the same easy rhythm, only in chorus we hear slight passings. The sang melody is uninteresting, just boring.
Unfortunately, up till the last number nothing interesting happens on this album. In every piece we hear the same mistakes: predictability of melody, rhythm, too much simplicity, repeating musical motives leading to boredom. This repetition concerns not only play of the instruments, but also the vocal parts (you can hear it best in Endlos, Krieger der Nacht and Schuld). Emotions are expressed In an obvious way, they’re shallow, too doleful or too pompous (Ein Schatten). Darkness of pieces is being obtained constantly in the same ways, sound of keyboards and drums happens to turn trashy (Abgrund).
I have impression that a number of bands focus on the "atmosphere", getting caught into its trap, insufficiently taking care of musical quality of songs. Especially in music that was meant to shift us into magical, lyrical world of sounds, these sounds ought to be elaborate and one should try to make them interesting, pretty, not trivial and teary. Demut is unfortunately an immature album to me, both musically and emotionally. To get listened to only by fans of the genre, and even among them I don’t expect any delight.
Tracklist:
01. Vanitas
02. Fallen
03. Schuld
04. Gegen die Welt
05. Tränen eines Clowns
06. Ein Schatten
07. Abgrund
08. Azrael
09. Sturm
10. Endlos
11. Krieger der Nacht
12. Gespenster
Other articles:
The album opens with a track Vanitas which begins with delicate piano sounds just to change into metal-gothic sounding motive in a while coming and going many times during the song. The stanzas are sang by masculine vocal, a rough voice, while in chorus we hear delicate, melodic female vocal. From time to time there are some choir insets getting on to, singing "hallelujah". Vanitas is probably the best track defending itself on the CD. Though simple and too obvious, it’s not too bad listening to it, however, everything we hear next seems to be even less exploratory.
Fallen, has a similar construction. Again it starts from delicate tones and after a while a stronger motive comes in, repeating itself during the track. The vocal melodies are too simple, and instrument al ones, player on keyboards or guitars, are repeated endlessly.
Schuld is even more schematic, bass and drums play constantly the same easy rhythm, only in chorus we hear slight passings. The sang melody is uninteresting, just boring.
Unfortunately, up till the last number nothing interesting happens on this album. In every piece we hear the same mistakes: predictability of melody, rhythm, too much simplicity, repeating musical motives leading to boredom. This repetition concerns not only play of the instruments, but also the vocal parts (you can hear it best in Endlos, Krieger der Nacht and Schuld). Emotions are expressed In an obvious way, they’re shallow, too doleful or too pompous (Ein Schatten). Darkness of pieces is being obtained constantly in the same ways, sound of keyboards and drums happens to turn trashy (Abgrund).
I have impression that a number of bands focus on the "atmosphere", getting caught into its trap, insufficiently taking care of musical quality of songs. Especially in music that was meant to shift us into magical, lyrical world of sounds, these sounds ought to be elaborate and one should try to make them interesting, pretty, not trivial and teary. Demut is unfortunately an immature album to me, both musically and emotionally. To get listened to only by fans of the genre, and even among them I don’t expect any delight.
Tracklist:
01. Vanitas
02. Fallen
03. Schuld
04. Gegen die Welt
05. Tränen eines Clowns
06. Ein Schatten
07. Abgrund
08. Azrael
09. Sturm
10. Endlos
11. Krieger der Nacht
12. Gespenster
Other articles:
- Mantus - Königreich Der Angst - 2009-10-17 (Music reviews)
