Artist Manes
Title Under Ein Blodraud Maane
Format LP
Label Hammerheart
Release Year 2012
Genre BLACK
Country Holland
Print
CatalogueNumber HHR 2012-24
Description:
Limited vinyl with gatefold cover

Norwegian black metal, you say? Well, lets give it a shot shallwe. Manes are a now infamous band, but for all the wrong reasons.Starting out, Manes were a Scandinavian black metal band with atremendous reputation for creating a repertoire of successfulworks, especially the debut full-length, which is what we‘redealing with in this instance. When ’Under ein Blodraud Maane’ cameout in 1999 through Hammerheart Records, many believed the careerof this Norwegian act would really begin to take off, but instead,it stalled. Norway, by this stage of the decade, were beginning tolack that cutting edge, that thrust that managed to pull the likesof America, France and Germany into the top ranked nations forproducing talented black metal bands with distinctive sounds. Asthe years passed by, Manes developed their sound and thus invitedexperimentation into their lives by, and rather oddly I must say,changing their style from straight up black metal to an apparentelectronic/jazz influenced band. Now, I’ve never actually listenedto any of the material beyond this stage of Manes’ career, but thegeneral gist of it is, it’s awful. Whilst that may be the case, letus not dwell on it too long as comparisons cannot be made and we’redealing with THE successful Manes era in the form of the brilliantwork of art, ‘Under ein Blodraud Maane’. Black metal is a highlyformulated genre. When the second wave hit our ears, thedistinctive style that was created by the likes of Darkthrone inthe form of ‘Transilvanian Hunger’ and Burzum, in the form of theself-titled effort, ‘Burzum’ was effective but as time ticked by,black metal acts were forced to think again and began to producemusic that kept some of the traditions that began it all, but withan emphasise on experimentation. Manes can be considered one of theNorwegian bands that put Scandinavia, and particularly Norwayherself, back on the map. It was the creation of ‘Under einBlodraud Maane’ that inspired many to delve deeper into the rootsof black metal and the future of the genre, as a whole. Manes’debut effort is impressive. It sticks to a certain amount oftraditional elements and gives them a much needed facelift with aninclusion of some fresh and interesting elements, much of which areprovided by the awe inspiring programming and synthesizer usage.Comparisons are likely to be made to a number of the second wavebands, as the previous reviewer has done and some are certainlyjustifiable. As the previous reviewer kindly stated for me, the useof the keyboards links to an important band within the genre, themuch loved and much praised Limbonic Art whom, personally, I don’tmuch like. Although that may be the case, I can appreciate theapparent influence on Manes’ keyboard sections, which are utterlyastounding and the main positive to take away from the record.Whilst, of course, the rasping vocals or the tremolo riffs may takecredit for much of the direction of the record, it’s the subtletyof the keyboards that impresses. The soundscapes wouldn’t be aswonderful if it were not for the inclusion of the keyboards, whichcontain symphonic elements and are productively creating there ownblend of melodies whilst the lead guitars wrap themselves aroundthe creative juices that the keyboards begin to flow through therecord. It seems that much of the inspiration behind thedeceptively emotive guitars is based around the diversity that thekeyboards bring to the foreground. Take songs like ‘Uten Liv LiggerLandet Øde’ or the title track, ‘Under ein Blodraud Maane’. It issongs like these that display the brilliance that is the keyboardsand how they allow the other aspects of instrumentation to attachthemselves around it and feed off it. The keyboards are trulyimmense and the main element of ‘Under ein Blodraud Maane’ that onemust pay particular attention to. Much of the debut is decisivelydeceptive. The tremolo riffs disguise what is actually an oftenslow paced affair well. The soundscapes are built gradually on thefoundations that the keyboards often lay down. Vocally, Manes don’tprovide anything we haven’t heard before, but the mixture ofsymphonic melodies and harsh undertones are an idyllic basis forthe vocals to work the aggressive angle that Manes wish to portrayon occasions. One would go as far to say that ’Under ein BlodraudMaane’ is a spectacular and sublime effort of controlled blackmetal madness. The tortured emotions that subtly etch themselvesinto our minds are dark and depressive, but never overbearing. Thisisn’t a depressive black metal record, let it be known. In terms ofthe production, like the sludge genre would do, it’s murky. Thisallows the different elements of the soundscapes to manipulate theaudience in whatever they want. Whilst the piano interludes arepulling you in one direction, the dismal tones of the bass arepulling you in another. This seems to me to be a lost gem ofNorwegian black metal art.

Track listing:
1. Min Trone Star Til Evig Tid
2. Maanes Natt
3. Uten Liv Ligger Landet Ode
4. De Morke Makters Dyp
5. Under Ein Blodraud Maane
6. Til Kongens Grav De Dode Vandrer

Condition cover: nm

Condition record: nm

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