I remember when I got the last Manticora CD “Roots of Eternity”… talk about an ass-kicking… Manticora plays euro speed metal, but with all kinds of thrashy edges, somewhat of that of some older Blind Guardian. Throw in some keys (not everywhere, just in the right places), and very warm vocals (unique to Manticora), furious drums, and fast riffs that sometimes leave you wondering how in the hell he did that - and you’ll have Manticora.

“Darkness With Tales To Tell” picks up right where their previous disc “Roots of Eternity” leaves off… and then some. The keys are what stand out the most as being one of the biggest strong points; they use keys to compliment their music, not drown it. And just when you think the tune you are listening to is becoming a typical euro power speed tune, they throw in the right change to set them apart from the bands that can do nothing the same thing over and over.

Sure, this is speed - and there’s tons of that - but the quick thrashy jams and other surprised keep this a very refres hing disc. Production is top-notch. I cannot bitch about anything in the mix. Where some people swear by Gamma Ray, or Blind Guardian, or Stratovarius… I’ll stick to Manticora. Good points: Solid... solid... solid... (and a lot of it, at about 61 minutes) Bad points: none.

it sehr viel Power und Spielfreude gehen die Dänen MANTICORA auf ihrer mittlerweile dritten CD (die erste, eine Eigenproduktion, mitgerechnet) zu Werke. Kaum ist das Intro (dessen Thema nochmals im Song "Felice" aufgegriffen wird) verklungen, startet die Band gleich mit dem Song "The Chance Of Dying In A Dream" hammermäßig durch. Geboten wird technisch sehr guter, melodischer Speedmetal mit eigenwilligem Gesang und Charme, der stilistisch etwas an BLIND GUARDIAN erinnert, aber keineswegs als Plagiat bezeichnet werden kann. Die durchschnittlich über sechs Minuten langen, meist schnellen Stücke strotzen nur so vor guten Breaks und verschiedenen Stimmungen.

Als Anspieltipps würde ich mal, neben dem oben genannten Opener, das geniale "Dragon`s Mist" (mit fantastischem Piano-Part) und den Klopfer "Lost Souls" herauspicken. Sicherlich bleibt nicht jeder Song sofort im Ohr hängen, mehrmaliges Anhören ist angesagt. Teilweise geht man ganz schön progressiv vertrackt zur Sache ("Critical Mass"), woran aber deutlich wi rd, das die Band sich nicht einfach in eine Schublade stecken lassen will. Auch das balladeske, melancholische "The Puzzle" unterstreicht diese These. Die Gitarrenarbeit der beiden Axemen ist fantastisch. Die beiden hauen im Minutentakt geile Riffs raus und strotzen, wie gesagt, vor unbändiger Spielfreude, sogar das eine oder andere Bay Area Thrash-Riff (a la Forbidden) ist zu vernehmen (in "Shadows Of A Tale To Tell").

Sehr gut eingespielt erscheint mir die tighte Rhythmus-Section der Band zu sein, denn was Drummer (Double Bass Gewitter) und Bassist hier abliefern, ist weit über dem Standard angesiedelt. Der Track "The Twilight Shadow" enthält zum Bleistift ein geiles, melodisches Bass-Solo und sowas hört man wahrlich nicht alle Tage. Die Vocals von Sänger Lars sind meist in angenehmen, mittleren Sphären angesiedelt, selten werden seine Stimmbänder in höheren Tonlagen strapaziert. Sollte noch jemand die ostdeutschen Genies DEPRESSIVE AGE (später dann D-AGE) kennen ? So in etwa klingt der Sänger von MANTICORA . Jedenfalls gibt er der Band einen hohen (positiven) Wiedererkennungswert.

Textlich zeigt man sich nicht etwa, wie so viele Bands dieses Genre von Tolkin beeinflußt, sondern man greift teilweise die düsteren Themen von H. P. Lovecraft auf, was die düsteren, atmosphärischen Parts in den Songs erklären mag. Die Produktion ist auch sehr gut ausgefallen. Die Gitarren stehen, so wie es sein muß, im Vordergrund, und das erwähnte dynamische, fantastische Drumming wird auch ins rechte Licht gesetzt. Die Keyboards, die meistens in furiosen Klassik-Themen Verwendung finden, bieten originelle und frische Sounds und werten die Songs also noch zusätzlich auf. Alles in allem kann man den Jungs nur zu diesem Album gratulieren, it kicks ass ! Ich weiß, das der Markt in diesem Genre übersättigt ist, dennoch halte ich dieses Album für eine Bereicherung, deshalb ...

I do not understand the concept behind this but leave it to a bunch of not so smart Greeks at BLACK LOTUS to let go of a band like Manticora. Tell them I said so. Simply put everyone, Darkness With Tales To Tell is just damn good. It isn’t perfect. It does have flaws. But then so do many cd’s. So what if it is done before Euro Power metal. It is straight ahead full-thrust epic and atmospheric power metal with lots of twists and fills. It’s damn fast and f**kin’ loud.

Consider “THE CHANCE OF DYING IN A DREAM”. Adrenaline is through the roof. Many of you after this song, will think the vocals are irritating. Probably for some. Isn’t that what many say about Hansi of Blind Guardian live yet people praise him. And who cares if they are, doesn’t anyone notice the balls, energy and low ranges by Lars? What about his vocals in “FELICE”? I hear melodies and emotion. It outlines the band’s diversity and willingness to implement their influences in order to capture many atmospheres. Did I forget the guest vocal appeara nce by MONICA from SINPHONIA? (SWING!!!).

So are you hearing Blind Guardian, Iced Earth or Stratovarius? Does that mean it’s unoriginal and less appealing? Knowing this beforehand, I would yell SOLD!! Besides, the vocals aren’t the essential element in Manticora. No one noticed the twin guitar attacks? No hands raised for the shredding in “THE TWILIGHT SHADOW”? Maybe the tones are similar to Iced Earth but I don’t recall Iced Earth’s leads during breaks always being this nice. And if it reminds me of Helloween, well, going once, going twice, SNATCHED UP!! No comments for the swift and speedy keyboards? Doesn’t Jeppe pull moments of key glory regularly? The talent is there and don’t deny it. Not as many keys like Dream Theater but are selectively well done and appropriately included in the moments.

Forgive me if I’m wrong but don’t the bashing double bass and roll frenzies from Mads’ account for anything? The grand “DRAGON”S MIST”. Blow me away with that awesome and madly energetic drum/guitar in the middle of the song. Sounds to me some may be ignorant or hard of hearing. As I see it, if it’s unoriginal yet gets maximum wattage out of my Cervin Vegas, I’ll kick back with Manticora anytime. And face it people, has it been done before? Who the hell cares.

If it sounds good, then just enjoy it and don’t always be so picky. Sometimes you should just let go of that attitude and simply enjoy the music in a whole. Word to the wise, take a different approach listening to a cd every now and then. You might f**kin' like it. Check this out. I do believe you won’t be sorry. And to the guys from Manticora, play it loud and play it proud. And if someone tells you this album is a mix of Iced Earth and Demons And Wizards, give them a F**K Yeah 2!!!

Darkness gather and reveal your secrets, tell me of times long gone, reveal the secrets of universe and other civilizations, forgotten or to come. In my wander I have by my side six bards from Denmark, Manticora. But, I already tired you enough with my silly romance and so I'd better get to the point. Manticora, together with some other bands, are the hope for the renewal of euro power metal.

Their main influences are GAMMA RAY and ICED EARTH, but at the same time they have managed to create their personal sound. In their new album they added some keyboards, which are a plus to the atmosphere of their music.

Their songs sound in parts more progressive and technical. Their drummer is a god (!) and makes their sound heavier in corporation with the guitars. Finally, in the plus of this album are the "strange" vocals of Lars. This album takes them closer to the conquer of the top. Guys, all of you that love classic heavy metal buy it with no second thought. All the others listen to it. You won't lose. Congratulations!!

If you are an early reader of metalreviews.com, you know that we really like this band. We dedicated our first ever interview to this band because we trust they are the next big band on this planet. When I said big, I like to compare them to Iron Maiden, Iced Earth, Blind Guardian, Hammerfall or Nightwish. However, music is a matter of business where luck has a big role. We believe Manticora deserve much more attention and this new record is somehow "our own gift" for betting on this band.

After the excellent Roots Of Eternity (previous record), where Blind Guardian and Iced Earth's influences where more than evident, Manticora come back with Darkness With Tales To Tell. This time Manticora start to have their own sound, their own profile, their own music style and leave behind their direct influences. The third full album will be Manticora's coronation (I'll bet a fortune on that !). But for now, let's talk about

Darkness With Tales To Tell and lets talk about Manticora's singer, Lars F. Larsen. Without any doubt Manticora could not sound this way without the help of their vocalist Lars F. Larsen. He is unique and his vocals, giving again another dimension to Manticora's songs, are awesome. Don't try to compare him to another metal singer because Lars sings like ... Lars, full stop. Guitars solos get printed in your brain on first listening and the overall tempo is damned fast.

Blind Guardian is still present (fast rhythm and progressive breaks) but this time Manticora has added its own feeling, its own recipe to create an "epico-metalico-power-metal" masterpiece. The more I listen to it, the more it drives me mad. Dragon's Mist and Felice (forth & fifth track) resumes perfectly what is Manticora nowadays. Fast, melodic, catchy, progressive, magical, epic and what a mature song-writing! Roots of Eternity was made of two killer songs, Darkness With Tales To Tales is full of good songs, including one or two killers (The Chance Of Dying In A Dream, Dragon's Mist). Ah before I forget, the cover-art is really great ( booklet amazing!). I cannot tell you more about the artist as you have to discover by your own who is the artist (surprise !).

Let's just say you know the guy ... pretty well. New album, new label, new logo, new sound, Manticora is rising slowly but surely. After all, it took more than three records to Blind Guardian to get finally recognized. Fans of Blind Guardian, Stratovarius, Iced Earth, Nightwish and fast melodic (true?) power metal, this one is a must. After Black Lotus (previous label), I hope Manticora will have a decent promotion from Scarlet because here ... we are still waiting for the promo!

Manticora is one of the brightest new stars on the power metal heaven. Formed in 1996 out of the ashes of Danish underground band Fear Itself, they decided to call themselves Manticore. They released a 5-track cd called Dead End Solution in 1997 and in 1998 they were forced to call themselves Manticora instead because some German label owned the right to their previous name. In 1999 they released their real debut album, the very competent Roots Of Eternity.

Due to some problems with their old label they got signed to Scarlet Records, and here they are - a worthy contender to the big names of the genre. Manticora plays epic and atmospheric power metal that often reminds me of bands such as Helloween, Gamma Ray or Blind Guardian. The guitar work done by Kristian Larsen and Flemming Schultz is definitely the core of their music.

The double guitar layers provides a huge wall of sound which really impresses me, very competitive with the best bands of this genre. The guitars sound very Hellowen and Gamma Ray influe nced, but I can also draw parallelles to early Iced Earth. The sound production done by Jacob Hansen (Hatesphere, Invocator, Withering Surface) is top quality all the way. About the songs: there is a bunch of future classics on this album which makes it hard to pick out the highlights.

Dragons must be one of the most common topics in power metal, especially when it comes to finding classic song titles! Manticora is no exception from that rule, and if I have to pick out a personal favourite track it would definitely be Dragon's Mist. Dragons never fail! Beautiful double guitar intro, fast and intense riffing, catchy verses and a slightly mellow but at the same time majestic chorus that will make all power metal song writers green in the face (out of envy)! One of the best power metal anthems I have heard in a long time! I just have to pay my respect to my neighbour country

Denmark that seems to produce a neverending line of excellent metal bands these days. The new super-power of metal? Take my word for it, Ma nticora will be a force to reckon with for many years to come! Just follow the darkness, it might have some beautiful tales to tell...

Auf mittlerweile zwo und eine halbe Veröffentlichung können die Dänen zurückblicken und wieder einmal ist mir etwas durch die Lappen gegangen. Verdammt noch eins, ist das eine höllisch gute Band, der eher euer Interesse gelten sollte, als dem ganzen ranzigen Morzarella Metal, der wie es scheint, unendlich über die Alpen fließt. Im Gegensatz zu (fast) allen Italo- Combos, wird hier nicht das Wort Melodie überstrapaziert und erst recht nicht steril Taktfolge an Taktfolge gepappt.

Gewisse Wiedererkennungsmerkmale, die eine Verbindung nach Italien nicht leugnen, sind durchaus vorhanden, wie bei Dragons Mist gut rauszuhören, was Manticora schlussendlich unterscheidet, ist ein ganzes Stückchen mehr Härte. Positiv bewerte ich auch die Tatsache, das der Einsatz des Keyboards mehr als dezent geschieht. So lässt sich die ganze CD locker am Stück genießen, irgendeinen Titel mit Langeweilefaktor 10 konnte ich nicht ausmachen. So kann ich der Band in allen Belangen das Reifezeugnis der harten Tonkunst überreichen und dazu gratulieren, für die europäische Metalszene mehr als eine Bereicherung zu sein.

Mir bleibt nur zu hoffen, das diese CD wegen des leider nicht üppigen Werbebudgets unter ferner liefen abgehakt wird. Das wäre wegen genialer Titel wie "Felice“ oder "The nightfall war“ mehr als schade. Wenn’s um melodischen Metal geht, sind Manticora meine derzeitigen Favoriten.

Manticora, well they're back and they haven't changed a bit. If they would've changed, I would've kicked Lars ass ( even though I must admit he's both stronger and taller than me). The backbone is Mads as always. He's a great groovemachine. The bd's are tight and fast.The best overhead sound I've heard in metal in a long time, the cymbals, hihat and ride are really crispy.

Lars complained about his vocals but I can't see why...he sounds more mature than ever. I would love to hear him sing some more brutal stuff. He sounds a lot sturdier... I also dig the vocallines wich are different but catchy. The sound is great...a little thin maybe but crystal clear. I must say that the vocal production is GREAT. I love the almost nonaudible processing on them. Also, the guitars are really fucking tight. Keys are great. The only two complaints I have are: The bass...where is it? Almost mixed as low as on "...and justice for all" The cover...it's so ugly even my grandma could've done better. Anywayz, it's a 9/10 review :)

Oh, oh, oh, da kommt ja was ganz Heißes aus Dänemark! Bisher habe ich schändlicherweise noch nichts von Manticora gehört, aber dass wird sich mit dieser Platte hoffentlich auch bei Euch ändern.

Wenn ihr auf richtig flotten Power Melodic Metal in Richtung Blind Guardian steht, dann aufgemerkt. Die Dänen bieten absolut flotten, erfrischenden Stoff. Gut und bombastisch produziert geht der Sound absolut ins Ohr und die Chorusse beherrsscht Ihr sicher auch bald im Schlaf.

Die Songs machen einfach Spaß und reichen natürlich vom Kracher bis zur ruhigeren Nummer. Eigentlich ein absolut klassisches Metal-Album, dass geprägt ist von soliden Riffs und guten (nicht zu hohem) Gesang. kann ich echt empfehlen!

I only read about Manticora's debut album and saw that it got good reviews. Now I'm able to form my own opinion on this Danish metal band. They've stated that influences come from Blind Guardian, Savatage, Helloween, Iced Earth and Gamma Ray. I fully agree actually. But I must say that Manticora is no rip-off band, they really offer us some great epic power metal!

The production was done by Jacob Hansen in the Aabenraa Studios, need I say more? The first track is an intro after which the second one explodes in a high-speed song that kills absolutely everything! Other highlights are the long and variated "Dragon's mist", "The nightfall war", the ballad "The puzzle", "The twilight shadow" and "Shadows with tales to tell".

The only critique is that singer Lars isn't the most variated singer, maybe this is an after-effect of the attack on him, who knows? But all in all, this pleasure almost lasts for 62 minutes of phantastic epic power metal, and every fan of the aformentioned bands should check this album out!