Manes
Under Ein Blodraud Maane

The year was 1999 when this black pearl saw the light. The greatest masterpiece of Manes (a cult band in the world of black metal) released by Hammerhearth, was the ultimate expression of how music in itself can be defined as an authentic work of art. Epochal. This is the only word to describe this record, steeped in hatred towards life and devotion to death. This is an anthem to darkness, the darkest and blackest kind. There are no gothic elements or symphonic openings here; everything is pure frost created by a sonic peak capable of rare extremism. Many bands (especially American ones) have drawn inspiration from this work, which brought the concept of Depressive black metal to its fullest expression.

The drums play a crucial role as they create suffocating and obsessive rhythms, where the base is woven with the icy guitar notes capable of resonating with the deepest strings of the human soul. The bass does not seem to produce melodic lines but rather drone-like vibrations. In this unique sonic entity made of absolute iciness stands the malevolent voice of Saargatans. His unique screaming-growl seems to come directly from the underworld. This is not a work suited for optimistic personalities; this is an anthem to suffering. Every time I listen to it, I find myself in a distant world where light and positivity do not exist, and an absolute darkness reigns supreme, with no way out. Evidence of this is the splendid "Til Kongens Grav De Dode Vandr", where the sound intertwined between guitar melodies and fast but articulate drum rhythms creates an absolute majesty. A gem of the album that creates an atmosphere as black as pitch is the ominous "Uten Liv Ligger Landet Ode", in my opinion, the most beautiful depressive black song ever composed by a band. The malevolent title track provides the listener with a complete sense of disorientation, where ancient specters hover above us as if they wanted to communicate through incomprehensible bonds to our hearing.

This is not just a simple album; it's a portal between two worlds, ours and a black dimension, an extreme abyss whose depth knows no limits, where life is cursed in the farthest region where the human soul loses itself in its total absence of light, a place where the most ferocious damned souls reign. And you may ask me: what is this place, where are we? In hell, my friends, we are in hell.