“The Blessed Curse” is the seventeenth album from legendary
Heavy Metallers Manilla Road and was released on February 13th,
2015. Now real quick I apologize this review is so late, Amazon screwed up my
order and shipped it late and I had another album slated to be reviewed but
unfortunately I won’t have it in my hands until the earliest May 1st.
But anyway let us get onto this record. First off, Manilla Road was a band that
I always heard in conversations, forums etc. but I never gave them a chance. I
recently saw that they released this new double record so I thought this would
be a good opportunity to delve into a band that has been around awhile the md
to late seventies in fact. So we have The Blessed Curse so let’s delve right
in.
Track Rundown
1.The Blessed Curse- Starting with the really eerie
acoustics I really like the atmosphere really quick and the vocals are epic in
say not an over the top power metal way, but a crooning epic way with, again, a
very good atmosphere to them. The production when those crushing riffs come in
I really dig because it is that raw, 80’s kind of production which I like more
than more over produced records. I really think it sounds more live this way. The
solo is really hypnotic too and has a power metal-ish feel. I feel like this
song sets a really good mood for what this record has in store.
2.Truth In The Ash- This is total old school speed metal and
you could totally swear that it was from 1982 and not 2015. This band even
being almost 40 years old I am so astonished how they sound like I’m sure they
sounded in their prime. At times I feel the vocals get a tad buried behind the
riffs but it only happens at small bits that you really can’t notice them that
much. The solo rips and doesn’t hold back at all and again sounds like an 80’s
speed metal band in their prime.
3.Tones Of Clay- The classical like acoustics are really
nice and I do like the variation from fast to slow it keeps things interesting.
This song has a more mythic feel to it as well and it is quite interesting as
well. This is a ballad that I approve of, because of the fact it is a ballad
that is creatively written and not cliché. It really does make this more of a
musical adventure as well.
4.The Dead Still Speak- Another more typical Heavy Metal
tune, again adding to the variation of this record. I really like the drum
patterns in this track and I feel this would work as a great live tune as well.
The vocals could have been a bit louder again in the final mix I feel but it
doesn’t take away from the song much. It sounds like it is very much an anthem that
should have a crowd singing to it. I have to point out the bass is super clicky
as well which is a plus when bass is super audible in a song. I love the click
from the double bass at the end too it just has that old school charm.
5.Falling- This acoustic riff is really catchy to my ears
right off the start and the vocals again, just a whole other layer of feeling.
This song is another ballad-ish track but I feel this one is catchier than
“Tones Of Clay” The solo is really soulful as well I really dig it. I really
like the chorus I feel it would be something that could easily get stuck in my
head. Greatly written track and really
picks up at the end.
6.Kings Of Invention- That killer bass kicks off this track
which goes back to the heavier side of things. I am starting to sense a pattern
with this album which I feel might throw off some of the excitement off of the
next few tracks. However, this is another song I feel suited for a live
setting. Simply put: Its Heavy freaking Metal, nothing more, nothing less.
7.Reign Of Dreams- Probably the heaviest song on the album
actually, and a complete surprise it wasn’t a slower track! I love the chorus
to this song and again I could totally see a crowd singing along to this. The
solo is really the crown on this track though it sings and cuts so much in the
sound I really like it.
8.Luxiferia’s Light- Crushing riffs right off the bat and It
kind of sounds Candlemass-ish at least to me. This song is a total track you
just headbang to simple enough. The chorus is pretty damn heavy as well. This
track is mid paced but is still awesome the drums do a lot of solid fills as
well. Great song.
9.Sword Of Hate- The Sabbath feel is strong in this song and
I love the palm muted riffing it always adds a heavier feel I think. The solo
on this track I think is my favorite just because the guitars sounds heavy
enough and asolo against that riff just adds so much flavor to an already
delicious track(did that sound weird?). Anyway this is one of my favorite songs
on the album.
10.The Muses Kiss- I feel it is good that this album ends on
a soft track just because Manilla Road really knows how to write emotional
pieces I feel. The vocals are overlaid and I really like it. The guitars really
carry this song away and hit home very well I think. I think this proves that
even Heavy Metal, with the fist pumping anthems and super aggressive tempos and
overall energetic feel, can come in the form of very good written pieces such
as this song among others in history and with this album closing on a pretty
extended solo, I can see why Manilla Road should be so much more respected in
the metal community.
The second disc: After The Muse” I will speak briefly about
because it is more or less outtakes and rerecording’s but is still a very solid
disc and is worth it with “The Blessed Curse” It is mainly all ballad type
songs but they are very nice and I am glad they are on the second disc so I can
appreciate them more and they don’t clog the album and drag it for too long.
Overall, I give this album an 8.5 out of 10, I went into
this review almost completely blind and I am surprised that this album is as
solid as it is from this older band. It really makes me want to go back and
discover their discography and if you are a veteran or new Manilla Road fan, I
recommend this record for you. It’s got it all.
No comments:
Post a Comment