... and it seems Deadlock are back with a vengeance. Anyone who listened to the former album, Wolves, should know that this German melodic death metal band can pull off some seriously good stuff in just about every department, and then add a few more with some unusual avant-garde techniques. Well, only expect more from Manifesto.
That's not to say this beats Wolves; the predecessor of this record was outstandingly good and this suffers, as I say, from 'Sacrament syndrome', but it would be fair to say that Deadlock have a great ear for the strengths of their music and giving the listeners more of it. And indeed there's something for everyone: death growls like punches in the face, forever backed up with the melancholic touch of pitch-perfect female vocals in almost every chorus, pacy chugging complimented by lead guitarist Sebastian Reichl incredible high-noted shredding over the top guaranteed to wow any guitarists. Yet there's still more, as Manifesto adds hardcore techno beats (following up on 'End Begins' from Wolves), classical elements with both interludes and a saxophone solo on 'Fire at Will' and, most strangely of all, an entire hip-hop/crunk section in the song 'Deathrace'. While these definitely add an innovative, original edge to the album, there are some parts where you can't help but wonder if the band has gone a little too far, in particular with the rapping. Melodeath and hip-hop? Perhaps there are some genres which simply shouldn't be mixed.
I can't imagine any fan of Wolves or of any particularly unique death metal disliking this a great deal, and if anything it is a good experience hearing the experimentations of a very talented group of musicians. While it lacks the catchiness of Wolves, Manifesto holds its own and I would strongly recommend giving this a buy, or even better doing it all live.
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