Mantar - Ode to the Flame
German sludge/noise metallers deliver dynamic and powerful second album
You may expect that as a duo, Mantar would struggle to create the sort of power they strive to excel at. On the contrary, their simple two-man set-up allows them to indulge fully in each satisfyingly brutal riff, and provide the ultimate in cathartic listening. Ode to the Flame sees this set-up evolve, however, into a more dynamic but no less abrasive assault than debut full-length Death by Burning.
Whilst tracks like ‘Oz’ or ‘Born Reversed’ barrel along with a the kind of no-nonsense intensity you may expect from the Teutonic duo, opener ‘Carnal Rising’ sees sludgy drones backdrop its noisy guitars. On 'Schwanenstein’, layers of gloomy psychedelia add a dark atmosphere to the track’s rough riffs, whilst ‘Cross the Cross’ sees hard rock riffs put through Mantar’s metallic filter. Elsewhere, ‘Era Borealis’ is a stomping powerhouse with head-bobbing grooves and hard-hitting riffs that utilise Hanno Klänhardt’s raw growls to lead an infectious and almost anthemic chorus. The introduction of these new elements help make Ode to the Flame much more than the simple but fun burst of unbridled power you may be looking for.
Instantly gratifying but layered enough to reward repeated listens, Ode to the Flame is a dynamic release that will simultaneously hit harder than Thor and stick in your head like an infectious pop song.
9/10
