Labels: Aftermath Music
Formats: Vinyl/Digital
Release Date: 18 Apr 2020
Tracklist:
1. Young Skeleton
2. Mouth Of The Volcano
It's fascinating being able to track the trajectory and the evolution of bands, especially when they've existed for nearly three decades, as is the case with Norwegian band Manes. From their black metal beginnings in 1993 to their experimental/electronic/rock that exists in the year 2020, their body of work is not to be sniffed at. Returning earlier this month with the 7" EP called Young Skeleton, Manes are pushing themselves further as artists.
Ambience and atmosphere have long since been associated with black metal, but when musicians jump from the genre and into another musical world, they take those textures with them (with varying degrees of success). Manes have done it with ease on ‘Young Skeleton’, which is a melodic and stirring ballad that is firmly rooted in rock. The vocals of Tom Engelsøy or soothing and gentle.
‘Mouth Of The Volcano’ is very different with spoken word samples and orchestral instrumentation competing with operatic vocals and harsh screams, courtesy of Manes and guests Asgeir Hatlen, Anna Murphy and Ana Carolina Skaret. It’s haunting and bizarre, yet it all sounds so cohesive and well put together. As the song ends with the sobering line ‘Don’t come here, there’s no escape’, it’s apparent that Young Skeleton is a very well-timed release.
It may be brief but this EP shows that the creativity and relevance of Manes is still bright for all to see. Some people say that 2020 will be the year the world implodes. If it is, this contains the final two songs that’ll be playing when the last of our kind watches the final remnants of earth burn up.
You can watch the video for 'Young Skeleton' below:-
Physical copies can be purchased from Aftermath Music here - https://aftermathmusic.selz.com.
Aftermath Music - https://www.facebook.com/AftermathMusicNorway/
Beautiful words :)
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