Register Forgot login?

© 2002-2024
Encyclopaedia Metallum

Privacy Policy

Manticora > The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters > Reviews > The_Boss
Manticora - The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters

I bid you welcome to the show...! - 95%

The_Boss, November 12th, 2007

Manticora is criminally underrated, that's a fact. I hardly see anyone talk about them and the fact that they are so good makes it even worse. With this concept album release Manticora have gained a solid reputation for mastering the art of creating concept albums. Their style of music a fast and relentless power metal attack filled with small progressive and thrashy moments but the overall experience will leave you wanting more of this style of power metal. A similar sound can be found in the catalogues of acts such as Persuader, Savage Circus, maybe even Blind Guardian and Kiuas.

Each guitarist here does an exceptional job performing on a level of power metal wizardry I haven't found since I heard Kiuas's Spirit of Ukko last year. The impact of the guitars' nonstop barracade of insane riffage combined with the uber keyboard flurry makes for quite an intense experience. The riffs spit out with a crunchy bang not heard since Iced Earth's Burnt Offerings that is hard not to headbang to followed with some of the most insane drumming this side of Quo Vadis! I find the drummer to be a big factor in creating an epic and majestic flow of the concept album backed with all the parts of the music to work perfectly. The choruses and background singing all perfectly match up to the instruments and Lars Larsen's singing all making this solid as rock. Lars Larsen has quite the set of pipes on him fitting into the mold of the elite power metal vocalists - even if he does sound a bit like Hansi at times.

While The Black Circus Part I - Letters is Manticora's shortest to date, it has my favorite album artwork of theirs and some of the best of their work. The collection of songs on here comes second only to 8 Deadly Sins. The album starts off with a semi-creepy symphonic opening with orchestral arrangements to set the mood for the upcoming storm. The blast of power metal then sets forth at a relentless pace without stopping until the album closes. Each song possesses a quality that makes it stand out and be memorable in the crowd - whether it be the beautiful and well done symphonic elements and female guest singers in Wisdom or the hyper fast guitar/keyboard duel soloing in the title track it all fits well and molds the concept album into almost perfection. The concept is based on some sort of circus or carnival that travels throughout the land showing off ancient history or something of the sort. Almost reminds me of the Twisted Metal videogame except without cars with guns and clowns with fire for hair.

Power metallers rejoice, this is a very unique album that takes you on a great experience and journey with a fun atmosphere of royalty and creative prowess. Right from the get go, the opener sets the mood very slowly then doesn't relent and holds no mercy upon the listener as it assails your ears triumphantly. Manticora in my eyes has set itself as a true contender and real elite band in the power metal spectrum with this release; I first heard 8 Deadly Sins and thought it could be a one hit wonder but after now hearing this I was mistaken and now they have taken their punishment out on me through my neck.