Manticora
The Black Circus Part II - Disclosure

The main goal of the Danish band Manticora has always been to escape from limbo: well-supported by a fan base, yet highly criticized by a large part of the press. Good works like "Darkness with tales to tell" and "The black circus part I - Letters" stand alongside less successful ones like "Hyperion" and "8 deadly sins". You understand that this artistic seesaw has made them just barely adequate in the eyes (ears) of many European metallers.

Truth be told, though, the band formed in Hvidovre in 1997 by the singer Lars Larsen started a "new" path with the first chapter of this duo titled The black circus, more original and personal and less tied to the Teutonic power that the band seemed unable to shake off. "The black circus part II - Disclosure" is the second musical creation of the concept on Howard Phillips Lovecraft begun with the previous album. During the making of this CD (2007), the Danes left Massacre Records for Locomotive.

Those positive features that were shown in "The black circus part I" are presented here again: heavy riff monologues, orchestral insertions presenting the more progressive side of the combo, power outbursts, dark atmosphere. Over everything, once again, the two fundamental elements of their sound: Larsen's voice, unpleasant or not, is an indispensable trademark now, and Mads Volf's work on drums, the tireless thrasher. They are the ones who (with good results) build the first real track of the album, "Beauty will fade," also characterized by a massive earthquake activity dictated by the guitars of the duo Kristian Larsen and Martin Arendal. Next, probably the highlight of the entire CD: "Gypsies dance part 2" hits the mark with a well-realized chorus and a stylistic variety that does not end up being just a display of "muscles," but rather highlights the technical improvement of the five members.

The positive step forward of Manticora can also be seen from the greater care of the lyrics, now more appropriate to what the group pours into music. Music that once again moves between heavy, riffing on the edge of thrash, and solid power metal. These are the general lines on which two other successful tracks move, such as "When the soulreapers cry" and "Of madness in its purity."

Having reached the conclusion of this journey that lasted two albums, the result leans in favor of the first album, that is, the more varied one with a greater dose of ideas. Indeed, once again for this second chapter of the "circus," the band represents the Intuneric interludes, with the exception of "Intuneric VII," the only one with a text and its development. They do not contribute to the assimilation of the work, which, due to Manticora's style, requires at least two listens. In the end, you remain with seven tracks, lasting about 35 minutes each. Emphasizing once again that most of these are still of high quality, perhaps it would have been reasonable to offer something more. But that was not the case. Rating: 3 and a half.

1. "Entrance" (0:36)
2. "Beauty Will Fade" (7:32)
3. "Gypsies Dance Part 2" (8:29)
4. "Intuneric V" (0:35)
5. "Haita Di Lupi" (2:30)
6. "When The Soulreapers Cry" (6:40)
7. "Intuneric VI" (1:16)
8. "All That Remain" (5:44)
9. "Intuneric VII" (2:32)
10. "Of Madness In Its Purity" (6:22)