Danish Manticora is now ready with their newest effort “8 Deadly Sins”, which is a concept album about a dying man, thinking back on his life. I haven’t heard much of the bands earlier material, but if it has the same high standards as this album, I have to check it out soon.

The band offers epic power metal with some progressiveness. The compositions are well crafted, and do not offer time for boredom. All seconds of the album is used to its full extent, there is always something interesting going on, the tracks are always developing. The album is really strong as a wholesome, but the tracks do also stand out as single pieces of art.

Musically it is damn hard to put a finger on the musicians’ performance. The guitar play is very delicious and tasteful. The vocals are grand and fit very well into the different tracks, almost as an extra instrument. The work of the choirs is placed in the right places, and gives an extra dimension to the music, as it is supposed to. The bass is delivering some great lines, and has some room right behind the guitar. The drums pound the shit out of this world, a smashing snare drum and killing double bass drums, and more relaxed play when needed. The keyboard on this album is delivered by Finn Zierler and damn it is godly. It is placed on the right spots and is bringing something extra to the universe of Manticora and gives the album some mystique.

The album is recorded in Jailhouse with Tommy Hansen at the helmet, and he has made a great production. The sound is big and airy and fits the music perfectly. The instruments are well separated, but works well together and the mix is good.

It is a very grand and good album that Manticora has made. It is good the first time, but gets even better after 20 listens. This album is going to open a lot of eyes and ears outside Denmark with this release. It is incredible with all the bands delivering quality metal in Denmark right now. This album is going straight into, both my personal top ten, and top ten releases from Denmark this year.

[This review was first published on the now defunct scandinavianmetal.info webzine]