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Manticora > Darkness with Tales to Tell > Reviews
Manticora - Darkness with Tales to Tell

Be Very Silent - 99%

Jiggleslinky, August 31st, 2014

Yes, be very silent as you enter the world of Manticora as they have tales to tell and you should listen to every last one of them. Their second album, Darkness with Tales to Tell continues the trend set with the debut and stylizes it further creating the niche that Manticora is known for today. On this album you will experience a collection of riffs melodies speed and power like no other. A perfect blending of these elements creates the dark and beautiful world in which Manticora enjoy telling their tales and the tales of others.

Vocalist Lars Larsen keeps his style and hasn't changed much since the debut and that's a good thing. His mid range works so well for this band and the experience wouldn't be the same without him. There are also a few parts with female vocals, a nice addition that really hits its mark in the next album. Mads Volf on drums also has not changed his style. He plays what fits with the songs still and continues to extend the feel of the album rather than just keep time.

The real spectacle to behold on this album is the keyboards though. This is the biggest change from the debut and I welcome it whole-heartedly. The amount of solos and melodies brought forth by Jeppe Eg Jensen and the increased keyboard use are nothing but good. To make matters even better they have continued the use of classical piano on songs as well giving me one of the greatest solos of all time on the song Dragon's Mist. Then later on we get another fantastic piano melody on The Twilight Shadow. How could I forget the awesome keyboard solos on The Chance of Dying in a Dream and Felice? Those are great too.

Before my fanboy attitude gets too overwhelming let's move to the guitars. Kristian Larsen and Flemming Schultz cover the guitars again on this album and again the amount of riffs and solos are off the charts and all great. After an intro the opening track to the album flies at amazing speed with a very cool riff that adds so much to it. Another good thing that I can say is that there are quite a few different riffs scattered throughout songs rather than one central riff that the song is based around. This gives the band their progressive feel, one aspect that I'll always be in love with. The mid section speed riffs in Felice and Lost Souls add so much to the songs it's fantastic. As for solos they're in full force again here. Unfortunately this is the last album with Flemming Schultz as lead guitarist which is a shame because I very much enjoyed his style of playing, which I can't describe here but is evident if you listen to this album and the debut. Bass lines are back in full force here too, though there isn't a solo like the one on The Flood from last album.

I've already gone over some of my favorite moments and if I continued I'd end up giving you an in-depth review of every song on this album. Nothing stands out as being weak and every song here is an instant classic to me. The only reason I rate this one slightly lower than the debut is because Roots of Eternity is still their best song to me. So far two albums down and not one less than stellar song to be found. So what are you waiting for? If you haven't listened to this band yet get going and pick up this album. You won't want to leave once you enter the world of Manticora.

Transitional and maturing - 77%

AnalogKid, May 17th, 2014

Darkness With Tales To Tell heralds, in my mind, the end of early Manticora, and the transition into the well-established string of potent releases that most people know the band for. However, this isn’t any sort of a rough, bumpy transition, but rather more of a “warm up session” for the monster albums ahead. Not to diminish the band’s first two releases whatsoever, but the growth from Roots Of Eternity right up through Hyperion is easy to track. At this point, Manticora is syncing Lars’ vocals with the furious riffing of Kristian and Flemming (though the latter was bound to leave the band later the same year), and settling comfortably into their rather unique power metal niche, while shedding the last dregs of “typical” power metal.

And really, what “typical” power metal there is here…isn’t. The band has said that “Dragon’s Mist” is their one standard power metal song, but even this is a sprawling, nine minute monster with surprising complexity held within its coils. Even during the fanfare-esque pre-chorus and properly cheesy chorus, the listener doesn’t forget for an instant that this is the blackest and most sullen of dragonkind. And although it’s my pick of the album, it’s surrounded by marvelous material. “Dynasty Of Fear” is a jarring, headlong rush, “Felice” is a well-balanced track that features a rare and tender introduction, followed by some of the album’s finest gallops. “Puzzle” is a largely downtempo and relaxed song that reminds one of a ticking, grinding contraption that is interested only in pursuing its own (fascinating) pursuits, and “Lost Souls” cuts loose with a vicious streak that the band has been saving up throughout the earlier portion of the album.

Mads Volf is an exceptional power metal drummer, and his speed and tenacity are remarkable; doubly so when paired with the fire-breathing guitars in the hands of Larsen and Schultz. The fluid combination of guitar and drumwork calls bands like Angra to mind, only in a wholly different setting that employs less melodicism and more musical rage (the first minute or so of “Lost Souls” is an excellent illustration of this). If I had to pick a major growth point between the debut and this album, that would be it. This is also indicative of even further heights that Manticora would reach with albums like Hyperion and 8 Deadly Sins. Heretofore relatively unexperienced within the power metal realm, Manticora manages to take what could be considered jerky, staggering power metal, and plays it with absolutely fluidity. Looking forwards, the primary denominator separating this album from future greats is mostly the memorability and consistent interest of these galloping, snarling songs.

Darkness With Tales To Tell offers more synchronicity, more punch, more depth, and more…well, darkness. As respectable a debut as Roots Of Eternity was, this album is the big step before a lunge, and it’s one that ought not to be forgotten about.

Original review written for Black Wind Metal

Top shelf power metal - 90%

fluffy_ferret, October 24th, 2007

Roots of Eternity was an amazing album which sported rich and mature songwriting as well as a great style. Essentially, it established Manticora as one of the best newcomers in the power metal scene. It was such a good album that any succeeding album was doomed to be compared to it. Manticora hadn’t run out of ideas though – far from it – as this equally impressive follow-up shows. This time around, they’ve incorporated more speed, complexity and thrash into their formula, making Darkness with Tales to Tell one of the fastest speed metal attacks you’re likely to ever encounter. The dark tone found in Hyperion and succeeding albums is not yet evident, but this is for all intents and purposes the album where they really start to experiment and it’s a huge leap closer to what they sound like today.

Manticora consists of nothing but great musicians, who all leave their personal imprint on the music. The extremely fast drumming of Mads Volf is a trademark of Manticora, as is the equally fast guitar playing from Kristian H. Larsen. THE most distinctive member of the band is vocalist Lars F. Larsen though. His style is a bit odd - definitely a “love him or hate him” kind of vocalist. He’s not too concerned with variation as he sticks within the same range and tone nearly always. Instead he focuses on delivering his lines with as much power and intensity as he can muster. He has probably held the band back a bit, but let’s not forget how hugely important he is: he’s one of the main songwriting contributors along with Kristian and Volf and I think it’s pretty safe to say that no vocalist out there sounds like him, which gives Manticora a unique edge.

Darkness with Tales to Tell is a good starting point if you’re looking to get into Manticora, as this is their catchiest and most melodic album, maybe even their most accessible one too (in strong competition with their debut), and definitely in their top 3. Rest assured: there’s not a dull moment to be found here. Tons of amazing melodies, lots of great guitar work, plenty of intensity, and a great attention for details. Check out the melodic leads and the infectious refrain in ‘Dynasty of Fear’, the thrashy riffs in ‘Dragon’s Mist’, and the serene, passionate melodies in ‘Critical Mass’ – just fantastic!

Power metal often gets flamed for being a stale genre, a genre which constantly rehashes the same old formula over and over, never reinventing itself. Those who voice such complaints are listening to the wrong bands. Manticora is a band that goes against the grain, proving that there is still room for new and exciting ideas. Clearly, Manticora is and will remain one of the most talented and interesting bands in power metal today. Give them a shot - you won’t regret it.

Highlights: ‘The Chance of Dying in a Dream’, ‘Dynasty of Fear’, ‘Dragon’s Mist’ and ‘The Twilight Shadow’

Masters Of Riffage? Yes. - 98%

KayTeeBee, October 23rd, 2004

Where to start? Shit, this is one of the best power metal albums ever made, period. What makes this album so good, you ask? Two simple things: Incredible Power/Thrashy riffs, and fucking amazing vocals. Yes, I said it, a vocalist that doesn't sing about dragons and doesn't have that annoying voice. The riffs are also the best ones I've ever heard in power metal. In power metal we usually hear generic boring powerchords repeating over and over again until the guitarist decided to do some incredibly fast solo. But Manticora just delivers very fast, outstanding riffage. The riffs are divided in two categories, unlike a lot of other power metal bands. The first division, is Thrash/Speed, and the other division being more melodic power metal riffs. They're fast and brutal, yet always remaining melodic with that little fucking element that makes you want to headbang forever. I rarely headbang when I listen to power metal, I usually say, "Pretty good, melodic". But when I listen to this masterpiece, I have to headbang. And don't think one song is thrash, the other is power - all the songs have Thrash AND Power elements in them. Some interludes are a bit slower, and they have those harmonized high-pitched guitars. Of course, all this is presented without being cheesy at all.

About the vocals, these too are very different from most power metal stuff. I really can't explain his voice though, you have to hear it to know what i'm talking about. Anyways one thing's for sure: the vocals own. Let's talk about the highlight tracks. First off, "The Chance of Dying in a Dream". This isn't one of those ten minutes epic power metal songs where half of the song is acoustic interludes with cheesy
vocals on top, and the other half is just "been there - done that" riffage. This song starts off with a brutally amazing guitar riffs, with a very up-beat drum beat on top. Melodic vocals that give creeps, and all that with those complex leads and melodic harmonixed guitar breaks. "Dynasty of Fear" is probably the song that will make you headbang forever. Same stuff as the previous song - Brutal and melodic. But of course the whole album is fucking amazing, though "Dragon's Mist" is a bit weaker and falls more on the "meh, heard it before" side of power metal.

That's all folks, this album is unique, fast, brutal, agressive, thrashy, contains power, melodic, and now you're gonna go get this masterpiece instead of listening to something else. Prepare yourself for hours - if not days of headbanging.

Dark Power Metal - 79%

StillDeath, July 9th, 2004

The second full length from Denmark’s Manticora is not your standard power metal release. First off as the title suggests, this is not a “happy” album. The vocals were a complete surprise to me. I am convinced there is no other vocalist in power metal sounding anything like Lars Larsen. Yup that’s his name, as easy to remember as his voice. Larsen sings in low range without sounding harsh, not overly operatic while still stretching the vowels. There are some screams but they are rare. He stays in the same range for most parts in a half-wail, and it takes effort to decipher the lyrics while it is still possible. He is the big reason for me why this album loses points. Somehow the vocals seem out of place together with fast sections, while working better with slower. I am still getting used to that vocal style yet and perhaps it will grow on me.

The music itself is superb! It is fast for majority of the album with solid speed metal riffs and well-placed breaks. The breaks are mostly keyboards and slower guitar passages, and they don’t last long before return of the crunch of the rhythm and guitars. There is no shortage of aggression here. Double bass aplenty while not overpowering, this is one of the faster power metal albums. The guitar solos sound reserved, fitting to the dark setting of the album.

At the same time it does often succeed in being epic and moving. Not in Manowar sense of epic, but as in The Chance of Dying in a Dream or The Nightfall War track titles would suggest. H.P.Lovercraft is quoted in the opening track and the lyrical themes deal with insanity, unseen horrors and nightmares. Also, The Puzzle has power metal perfection written all over it. It starts with a lulling acoustic intro. Here, Larsen sings the first half of the song with a more subtle, softer approach, and that is where the missing piece of the album falls into place. And the memorable keyboard melody at 3.00 mark just begs to be whistled along. If everything worked as well as that song, I would worship this as the second coming of The Dark Ride. The closing epic Shadows With Tales to Tell is another highlight, and is long enough to immerse the listener completely for full effect of the dark imagery portrayed.

This album is The Thing That Should Have Been. As it stands now, it is still impressive. At best it is sad, beautiful and epic. At worst it is still above average.

Must . . . stop . . . headbanging . . . - 99%

OSheaman, July 12th, 2003

Old-School Metal fans, eat your hearts out. This is pure riffage.

In general Power Metal, a line divides two seperate styles of playing - one where fast-paced , single-string guitar playing is key, and one where thrashy riffs make the rule. There are exceptions, of course, but in general most bands fall solidly in one of those camps.

Manticora straddles the line, and does so with style. There's is a lot of fast-paced guitar playing, but their songs are also brimming with the thrashiest riffs on Planet Earth. And that vocalist! God, where did that voice come from? However this guy managed to pluck the right combination of genes to get it, this is one of the most unique vocalists I've ever heard, and that's nearly always a good sign (assuming they're not uniquely shitty).

The songs . . . these songs are amazing. Just listen to the beginning of Dynasty of Fear, and get ready to headbang until your face flies off. Then switch to The Chance of Dying in a Dream for even faster riffs that would make any Power Metal fan, or Thrash fan, cream their pants. The Twilight Shadow takes the riffage in a whole different direction, with different keys and different rhythms, but it's still incredible. The only song not absolutely laden with power chords is Dragon's Mist, and that's because the band decides to waste you with a very cool keyboard solo instead of riffs. Of course, they come back in with their riff-o-rama right at the appropriate time, so it's all good.

Buy this. Buy it now. Punish yourself for not having it yet. This is Power Metal at its supreme pinnacle. There's something in here for the whole family to headbang to. Believe me, you're really missing out on life without this album. Before you diss Power Metal as too wimpy, take a second to listen to this ass-kicker of an album.