Mind Manipulation

What an incredible time for some Ukrainian death/thrash centered on horrors of war. Taking formation only a couple of years ago, Mortal Vision managed to get their debut full-length out late last year, hitting my radar at the beginning of this year. Though there’s no shortage of this style, it’s always nice when it can be pulled off so wonderfully. Mind Manipulation does just that.

Immediately, the Sepultura-meets-Morbid Angel vibes are going to set in, and they never really go away for the full run. Under a slightly clearer umbrella, this boasts riffs far more on the thrash side, caking on some grooves to break up an approach that’s pretty one-sided. Naturally, the speeds never really slow down other than to swing in these more memorable bridges and to give way to the solos. Things like the bouncy rhythms on “Condemned To Death” or the ascending sweeps meeting harder drum clashes with “Apophenia” add plenty of life.

The death aspect comes in clutch with the vocals, throwing almost identical homage to early David Vincent. Keeping things coarse and crushing without going guttural is what holds iMind Manipulation in its own playing field, which I can always appreciate. This pairs very well with more direct blows that remain straightforward. It also always works well when trading off with the screeching solos.

Obviously there isn’t an issue with consistency. As is always the case when playing this brand of thrash, brevity saves it from being too much. If you hunger for a quick, half-hour serving of something that doesn’t require deep understanding but still leaves you feeling satisfied, this is just the album for your platter.

Originally written for Sleeping Village

The four-piece newcomers Mortal Vision may hail from Ukraine, yet their influences point to the best that German and Brazilian thrash had to offer as the ‘80s became the ‘90s. Mind Manipulation breathes heavy under the weight of Persecution Mania and Beneath the Remains, almost to the extent that I sometimes forget who I’m listening to. The sonic qualities of this debut should be extremely familiar to fans of Sodom’s first thrashing exploits, even down to the momentum of the bass guitar and the hidden throatiness of the vocals; in a word, the whole thing stinks of nuclear winter, right down to the snippet of a ballistics report that introduces the title track. However, the emphasis on riffs points to Sepultura, occasionally bringing to mind particular constructions already used.

Mind Manipulation is thus best taken as a very capable homage to some of the most satisfying thrash albums from back in the day. Those expecting novelty, variation, or jokey themes will be sorely disappointed, but Mortal Vision should be a treat for thrash fans who want to hear sharp and brutal riffing hitting remorselessly while gruff vocals and pummelling rhythms sweep over them like automated gunfire. At 8 cuts and only 33 minutes, Mortal Vision pack their debut with quality and keep gunning until the end, with only some disdainful melodic solos for comfort. No one song absolutely stands out from the rest, which makes for admirable consistency but nothing in the way of anthems, just pure moshpit fodder. And quite often, that’s enough for thrash metal to succeed. Truly a great first shot that stings just like the classics.


Originally written (in edited form) for Metalegion #10 - www.metalegion.com

If you want to be politically respected in my country, you cannot ignore the whore called zeitgeist. That’s why more or less all politicians babble the whole day long about the climate change. Honestly speaking, I thought that they over-emphasize this topic. But, as if so often the case, I was wrong. Now I have learned that the Ukraine, once a region with severe winters and comparatively warm summers, has turned into a jungle. The transformation process took just 33 minutes. Welcome to “Mind Manipulation”.

The quartet called Mortal Vision swings an iron axe which was forged in a house with the name Cavalera on the nameplate. Many riffs “arise” and none of them can hide the love of its creators for the once great South-American flagship. The breaks, the phrasing of the vocals and even the solos do not leave any doubts. Therefore it is only logical that the sharp, pure and sometimes apocalyptic atmosphere of Sepultura’s third and fourth full-length jumps out of its grave. Given this, everybody can feel free to avoid this album due to its obvious influence and the fact that it sounds pretty one-dimensional. However, to do so would be a fatal mistake, because “Mind Manipulation” kicks you massively in the pit of the stomach.

Mortal Vision thrash with a maximum of energy. Their spirit reminds me of Danish hordes like Killing or Battery. Despite their inspiration from the late eighties / early nineties, everything sounds new and intoxicating. This fresh breeze is combined with a surprisingly mature song-writing. The sawing guitars are never an end it itself. They shape coherent tunes that do not suffer from unnecessary ingredients. Instead, everything is offered in pure and clean contours. The riff massacres characterize the material, but surprising, short melody fragments like the alarming one at the beginning of “Condemned to Death” also show up occasionally. Maybe Schmier from Destruction is in search of his once amazing energy level – now he knows who has taken possession of it. By the way, “Possessed” is another mix of straight riffing, mega-heavy mid-tempo thunderclaps, high velocity, defiant melodies and an inspired solo. Too bad that the solid yet somewhat colorless vocals leave room for optimization. Nevertheless, this is an “Exumer in ecstasy” trip that makes a lot of good feelings.

Consequently, it’s not fair that only 500 copies (where can I buy one?) of this debut were produced. I am sure that this form of restless, dynamic thrash metal deserves more attention. But this is just the start for Mortal Vision. Surely, the best is yet to come as soon as they emancipate themselves from their Cavalerian leitmotif. I believe in the power, the stamina and the creativity of the band. Better still, now I also believe in the necessity to fight against the climate change. Or have I only fallen victim to a “Mind Manipulation”?