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Manticora: The black circus (part one: letters)

05/11/08 || HailandKill

Taking their cue from Iced Earth and King Diamond, these Denmarkian power metallers harness all that is good in the melodic side of things to deliver their most ambitious effort yet. Being the first installment of a two-part horror saga involving dark secrets and a mysterious circus run by gypsies, “Letters” follows its protagonist – an unnamed dude whose experiences are slowly unraveled by a narrated correspondence (hence the title, “Letters”), as he gets promoted from janitor (he writes to his friend that it’s his dream job, sheesh, now that’s ambition) to an accomplice of his scheming masters. Things start in grand fashion with “Enter the Carnival”, whose flamboyant violins sounds like the opening credits of an HBO miniseries. Then the band borrows a bit of Andrew Loyd Weber’s broadway shazam, transporting the listener to the album’s fantasy world. Unless you aren’t peeved by this kind of cheese, “Enter the Carnival” will arouse your excitement. Manticora just nail the shiznit so early, you’re now looking forward to the story.

Title track “The Black Circus” (No, it ain’t a circus full of Negroes ya racist honkie – it’s gypsies remember? gypsies) is scream-your-lungs-out power metal where vocalist Lars Larsen’s grandiose delivery teeters between panic and awe. It’s common knowledge how interludes and whatever crap bands put inside them are the cement holding concept records together. Manticora are no different with the “Intuneric” segues, the term a Romanian word for “darkness” that stays true to the album’s gypsy theme. For “Intuneric I” horns and violins provide an overture to the smashing “Within the Dark Mind”. “Intuneric II” on the other hand, is a narration where he-who-cannot-be-named (that’s the album’s protagonist, numbnuts) shares a few chilling discoveries he’s made. But before any surprises are pulled, standard fare power metal saves the day on “Forever Carousel” followed by the Iced Earth worship ballad “Freakshow”, which is about the tragic plight of circus freaks.

The first “Gypsy’s Dance” makes you wanna do exactly what its title implies. So go ahead, wear a dress and thrash-dance. Don’t forget the tambourine to channel your inner Esmeralda from Disney’s “Hunchback of Notre Dame” (the cathedral, not the school). Sorry, but HailandKill has forgotten what happens in “Intuneric III”, however, “Wisdom” has these gratifying Iron Maiden guitars matched by ringing church bells and a chick’s voice, yeah! Unfortunately, forgetfulness once again bedevils “Intuneric IV”. Damn interludes. Wait… HailandKill remembers “Intuneric IV” – there’s just chatty dialogue here. “Disciples of the Entities” rules.
Manticora’s “The Black Circus Part One: Letters” meets your highest expectations for a power metal album: originality, top-notch musicianship, and no filler. Problem is, its not very memorable. Yes, that’s right. THERE’S NOTHING MEMORABLE HERE. You kinda feel bad for Manticora afterward… sorry dudes. It’s a fantastic album; the songs are priceless… if only people can remember them.

7 Danish pastries out of 10.

Information
Released: 2006
Label: Locomotive Music
Website: www.manticora.dk
Band
Lars Larsen: vocals
Kristian Larsen: guitar
Martin Arendal: guitar
Kasper Gram: bass
Ronni “James Dio”: keyboards
Madi Volf: drums

Tracklist
01. Enter the Carnival
02. The Black Circus
03. Intuneric I
04. Enchanted Mind
05. Intuneric II
06. Forever Carousel
07. Freakshow
08. Gypsy’s Dance Part One
09. Intuneric III
10. Wisdom
11. Intuneric IV
12. Disciples of the Entities

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