How the World Came to an End

As the title suggests, this review will not answer many questions you may want to ask as far as Manes' latest release is concerned. God, this album is so enigmatic that having listened to it so many times I still don't understand it. It seems that "How the World Came to an End" is a grey plane where all the genres and influences melt into something exceptionally dark and unclear. This is not the truly emotional, but repetitive piece of avant-garde music presented on "Vilosophe" - this time Manes builds a special, well-planned concept and fills it with various, but not random themes. However, the supreme aim of this album is integrity, so there's no place for a vain surprise - if there's a beat, it lasts; if there's a melody, it is likely repeated. The album avoids being bizzare, it's rather intriguing in its complexity.

Deep atmosphere is probably the key component of "How the world..." and it really makes the listener penetrate the music. It is easily more melancholic than its predecessor thanks to songs like "I watch you fall" or "Nobody wants the truth", but it features heavier ones as well, like "Deeprooted", for instance. All combine different elements and have their own identity, which is a rare thing among other avant-garde/experimental albums. Manes did their best.

It's a pity that Manes departs from its original avant-garde black metal sound even further, but for those who didn't like the change: try "How the world came to an end". Judging from the reviews of "Vilosophe", the direction the band had taken was not well received. Whatever I thought of "Vilosophe", Manes' third album proves the band right. Hopefully, any further changes will be of the same, high quality.