Mantar | Post Apocalyptic Depression | Album Review

Sludge laden blackened-death punks and certified rifflords, Mantar, return with their latest slice of pure filth. Back to basics maybe, all the subtlety of a brick to the face, absolutely - in the best possible way.

Some albums take two, maybe three listens to fully get to grips with, such are their intricacies and layers. This isn’t one of them, from the very first notes to the last, everything is laid bare in front of you, no filler, very few frills, just loud, bouncing anthems. This showcases the Germans at their best, reminiscent of their early work, showing they can still rage with the best of them, but with a clear sense of experience.

After expanding their sound and production on 2022s Pain is Forever and This is the End into what was at times stadium ready rock anthems, the German duo have stripped it all back this time around. Who needs crisp production and vocal hooks when you can have dirty riffs and a German man barking at you? The grandiosity hasn’t all gone, there are some genuinely massive moments across this record, big sing along choruses in ‘Rex Perverso’ and ‘Dogma Down’, keep the party vibes rolling, albeit with a seedy underbelly of muck and danger throughout.

If any of this sounds like a criticism it absolutely should not, this is Mantar at their grimiest and chaotic best, what it lacks in innovation it more than makes up for in attitude, not a second is wasted on this album, it’s in and out in a flash leaving you with nothing but a sore neck and perhaps a desire to smash things.

There’s a filth to this that feels less like an album and more like being trapped in the back of a speeding, rust-covered van, driven by a meth cook with an attitude problem. Every riff is coated in grime, the drums sound like they’re being beaten with scrap metal. It’s ugly, suffocating, and completely intoxicating this is the sound of decay turned into art being showcased at party at the end of the Earth.

Hanno Kländhart (guitars & vocals) has delivered some of his best work to date on this record. Riff after riff will keep you coming back for more, particular standouts ‘Church of Suck’ and ‘Face of Torture’ are a testament to his abilities to create a bouncing rock’n’roll banger. It’s the man behind the kit though, Erinc Sakarya who is the true hero, an absolute workhorse, he pounds on those drums like they owe him money. Keeping every one of the 12 tracks here rolling along like it’s the last thing he’ll ever do.

Mantar have long been a band who have dealt in brute force, submitting listeners to their will, and this is no exception. At its best moments this is a record which captures and encapsulates the span of the band’s career, when it’s this good it doesn’t really matter if it’s fresh.