» Cdreviews  
« back

Mantic Ritual - Executioner

Published March 18 2009


*
=Staff's pick

One By One
Executioner
Black Tar Sin*
Death And Destruction
Murdered To Death*
Souls
Panic
Double The Blood
Thrashatonement*
By The Cemetery
Next Attack*


Genre Thrash Metal
Dan Wetmore
Vocals
Tracks 11
Jeff Potts
Guitar
Runningtime 53 Min.
-
Guitar
Label Nuclear Blast
Ben Mottsman
Bass
Release 27 February 2009
Adam Haritan
Drums
Country USA
-
Keyboard
Similar artists Whiplash, Rigor Mortis, Cannibal Corpse

Pittsburgh Steel Lords - Meltdown have now become Mantic Ritual. There's no need to panic; because, they have re-recorded their self-released - Execution CD under the tutelage, and careful guidance of Andy Classen. This is a monster opus of total death and destruction.

I first had the honour of witnessing Meltdown open for Doro in Cleveland in 2007. Their performance was tight for a bunch of youthful, black tarnished souls. They played a mean, rippin' cover of Scorpions - Blackout. They really blew me away, with their uproarious stage presence. This was when the thrash resurgence was just beginning to burgeon.

They generously gave me their CD to review. Then, they moved to California, then back to Pennsylvania. I never did get to follow through with my summation, until now. Everything has come full circle, thus confirming that timing is everything.

Mantic Ritual are currently touring the States with Destruction & Krisiun. If they only had more time to play, more metalheads would realize why they were the first new, true thrash act to be signed by Nuclear Blast. They are awesome, totally old school, and wicked fast!

All the songs are new improved versions from the original Execution album. There is one new track - By The Cemetery - giving us a hint of the direction they are heading. Although, to me, it sounds like most of the other slices of death.

Everything is a variation from the original self-release, including modified, more macabre cover artwork, and a new logo incorporating the Meltdown motif. Although, these songs are definitely improved by Andy Classen's production and engineering.

Like so many thrash bands today, and back in the '80s, Mantic Ritual are heavily influenced by early Metallica. The song - Executioner is mega Motorbreath, while - Next Attack is an updated Seek & Destroy.

This is not to suggest that Mantic Ritual are Metallica clones. They are just influenced by the early years of thrash like Slayer (Souls), Exodus (Black Tar Sin), or Anthrax (Panic). In fact, I hear more references to Whiplash, Rigor Mortis, Demolition Hammer, and even Executioner, than those staples. Fans of Toxic Holocaust or Lich King absorb the bloodshed, and heed this Executioner!

The opener - One By One - distinguishes the manic panic ritual, showing why these gents of genocide have come to respect the dead, and double the blood ritual. Murdered To Death is hyperfast, with insane riff arrangements.

Thrashatonement will soon sound the knell as their anthem, just as Thrash Is Back commands the beast for Fueled By Fire; Combat Shock symbolizes Warbringer's strife; Immortal Life represents the essence of Bonded By Blood; or Exumer demarcates the tormented fate of Merciless Death.

Every song is replete with sedulous soloing, and hypnotic leadwork. Dan Wetmore's vocals are not that great, but easily understood, as he shouts, and bellows. Adam Haritan's dynamic drum skills are dutifully characterized by intense tribal rhythms, and quick, efficient time adjustments.

Adam contributed the lyrics for the first and last lethal cuts; Dan delivers and serves up the carnage for the remainder. Mantic Ritual don't really break new ground, and are seldom wordsmiths. The brutal and horror epics are more in line with acts like Cannibal Corpse, and not what one would one would expect from most advocates of thrashatonement. This is truly why Mantic Ritual remind me of the freaks in Rigor Mortis.

Essentially, Mantic Ritual are 100% bonified thrash for new and older fans alike. Check out Execution, and prepare for the next thrash attack, and a sonic meltdown of your souls!


Performance
Originality
Production
Vocals
Songwriting

8

8

8,5

7

7,5

 
Summary



8 chalices of 10 - Michael the MettleAngel


Related links:

www.myspace.com/manticritual