Mantus – Verstärker (Album – Trisol)
Genre/Influences: Gothic, Goth-Metal.
Format: Digital, CD.
Background/Info: Martin Schindler moves on the sonic voyage of Mantus. “Verstärker” is the German word for ‘amplifier’ and reveals twelve songs meant as a support to hold on to our faith in life.
Content: “Verstärker” sounds in the line of previous releases; a typical German Goth sound which has been empowered by Metal-driven guitar play and characterized by the melodic approach of the artist. All songs have been sung in German while featuring female backing vocals by Chiara.
+ + + : Mantus avoid innovation but never stopped to increase the production skills of the work. “Verstärker” is a well-crafted and perfectly produced work. There’s a true symbiosis between the power of the guitar riffs and the magic of the synth melodies. But the main characteristic remains the dark, melancholic and sometimes tortured atmosphere recovering the work. The female vocals are adding a heavenly touch to this obscure atmosphere. I like the melodies when they’ve this elevating effect and the title song is a very good exposure to it. I also enjoyed the hypnotic feeling created by the guitar play at “Keiner” and “Schüsse In Der Nacht”. A last song I want to mention is “Komm Nimm Meine Hand”for Chiara’s dreamy vocals and the way the song evolves into enraged guitar playing.
– – – : I regret the title song is maybe a little bit too short while a few more female vocals would inject a graceful touch to the album.
Conclusion: Mantus remains a true warrant for good-old German Gothic music although this isn’t my favorite full length album.
Best songs: “Verstärker”, “Keiner”, “Schüsse In Der Nacht”, “Komm Nimm Meine Hand”, “Wolkenschlacht”.
Rate: 7½.
Artist: www.mantus.de / www.facebook.com/mantus.band
Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471
About Mantus
Mantus is a German dark rock project founded around 1997 by Martin Schindler, who took the name from the Etruscan god of the underworld. The debut album, “Liebe und Tod”, followed in 2000 once Schindler’s sister Tina, performing as Thalia, joined on vocals, establishing the alternating male and female singing that became a signature of the project. Mantus went on hiatus in early 2005, marked by the compilation “Chronik” in 2006, before reforming in late 2008 and releasing “Requiem” in 2009. Tina Schindler left the project in 2012 and was succeeded by singer Chiara Amberia.
Mantus has released albums including “Wölfe” and “Melancholia”, and, more recently, “Refugium” (2016), “Staub & Asche” (2018), “Katharsis” (2019), and “Manifest” (2021), all on Trisol Music Group. “Verstärker” is Mantus’ latest full-length for the label.
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