I unfortunately don’t feature music from Croatia too frequently on Flyctory.com. The more I was happy to run into the album Kreatura by the band Manntra from Umag, the second time I review an album of this band. The release is already the band’s third album, publication date is 5th August 2022.
Manntra – About The Artists
Manntra have been founded in 2011. The folk metal and rock band emerged from an industrial metal band called Omega Lithium, who had released two albums. Singer Marko Matjevic Sekul is the longest active band member in the current lineup. Drummer Andrea Kert is also active since 2011. The other band members are Dorian Pavlovic (guitar, backing vocals) and Zoltan Lecei (bass, flute, backing vocals). In 2021, Manntra had two major releases. In March 2021, I featured their album Monster Mind Consuming. Later, they added the EP Nightcall.
Manntra – Kreatura – Track by Track
The twelve song album lasts 40 minutes.
1. Volhov
The first track is already paving the route for the whole Kreatura album. The song starts with stomping rhythm and strumming guitars. Especially in the chorus, Volhov is a fascinating listen. The song is about the God of the Underworld in the Croatian mythology, by the way.
2. Nightmare
The Croatians did a great choice to pick this one as their first single release. On the one hand, there is the dark sound, rhythmic guitar riffs and a lot of rock power. On the other hand, the chorus is very melodic, almost a bit of symphonic. This part also adds a nice folk touch and the lei-lei-lei allows you to be part of the song experience. Cool one.
3. Tanz
Tanz describes a game, a battle between a hunter and a hunted. Tanz (“Dance”) is in fact the only world in German language in this song. Again, the chorus is making you move to the music. Really enjoy the song.
4. Devour
Marko is growling Devour with his dark voice in the verses. The more, he feels like an angel in the pre-chorus. The song is a bit slower and comes with some nice keyboard parts as well. The song presents very different aspects, some parts even feel like an acoustic guitar folk song. Good listen.
5. Königsmord
The staccato theme of Königsmord leads to a very special atmosphere in this song. If you wonder about the title – Manntra are really going for a German chorus. This actually works not too bad – and if you don’t speak the language, Manntra give you some relief in the (English) verses. Great song.
6. Black
Your heart turns black
Your blood gets cold
When it starts to snow
And your soul
Made of gold
Turns to dirt
And then I know
Black is a lovely dark rock ballad. Very impressive sound, which gets a light touch by the guitar solo. The chorus simply stays in your mind.
7. Kreatura
Here we go – the title track. Or… Oh, damn, it is just 42 second interlude. Nice way to focus on it.
8. Silvermoon
Silvermoon takes you to the Medieval ages. People believed in all kinds of dark and frightening creatures. The song even has a touch of metalcore. Maja Kolaric as a backing vocalists adds a lot of value to this this.
9. Not Guilty
Even if these parts always tend to be a bit too simple, Not Guilty again comes with an amazingly catching element at the end of the chorus. Again, it’s the band’s female bassist who is leading to a special touch. One of my favorites.
10. Oblivion
Oblivion, which is starting with very traditional instrumental sounds, before the electric guitars and the drummer take over a major part of the melodic lead. A very nice addition and different style in the album.
11. Secret
Secret is a bit too electronic to me in the verses. The chorus is a cool one, though.
12. So Ist Das Leben
The song has been co-written by Michael Robert Rhein, who you might know better as “Das letzte Einhorn”, singer of the German band In Extremo. This powerful ballad allows Manntra to close their 2022 release with a massive power ballad blast.
Manntra – Kreatura – Spotify
Here is Kreatura on Spotify:
Manntra – Kreatura – My View
I really liked Monster Mind Consuming, but Manntra even lift my emotions to another level with Kreatura. The new lineup of the band adds a lot more options. Kreatura absolutely reflects that. Great listen!
Manntra – Kreatura Germany Tour 2022
After playing a few festivals, Manntra are headlining a bunch of shows in Germany towards the end of the year. The band also lists a gig at the Medieval-style Christmas Market in Dortmund on 26th December 2022, which I cannot confirm yet.
Th 17.11.2022 | Oberhausen – Kulttempel | |
Fr 18.11.2022 | Hamburg – Logo | |
Sa 19.11.2022 | Berlin – Badehaus | |
Fr 25.11.2022 | Hanover – Subkultur | |
Sa 26.11.2022 | Frankfurt – Nachtleben | |
So 27.11.2022 | Munich – Backstage Club | |
Fr 02.12.2022 | Leipzig – Moritzbastei | |
Sa 03.12.2022 | Stuttgart – Club Zentral | |
Mo 26.12.2022 | Dortmund – PLWM (Christmas Market) |
Folk Rock postings
Here are all my postings related to folk music and rock music:
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