Genre/Influences: Electro-wave, goth-pop.

Background/Info: ManOK is a Ukrainian duo, which already released a first album in 2012 on Scentair Records.

Content: “Dies Irae” clearly deals with pop influences, which have been joined and accomplished by other genres like electro-wave, EBM and gothic music. I also noticed some folk-, neo-classic- and even cinematographic influences running through a few cuts. The male- and female vocals are all sung in the Russian language.

The last cuts are remixes by Ginger Snap5, Anton Gagarin, Hyperhate and Invisible Devastation.

+ + + : ManOK clearly deals with a pop format you can’t directly link with another formation. The Russian language makes it very specific as well. I prefer the songs moving on the edge of body-pop music although the “Acoustic”-version of “В Эмпиреях”, which is more into soundtrack music, is captivating as well. The Hyperhate remix is a quite noticeable cut.

– – – : I can imagine ManOK is the kind of band that will get more recognition in their homeland and/or Russia instead of the world-wide electro-pop scene. I however think the album is missing some passion and especially highlights.

Conclusion: “Dies Irae” left me rather skeptical about the potential of ManOK although it’s an opportunity for electro-pop fans to discover a band from the Ukrainian scene.

Best songs: “Инкуб”, “В Эмпиреях (Acoustic)”.

Rate: (5).

Label: www.scent–air.com / www.facebook.com/ScentairRecords

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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