Manimal: Purgatorio

The album opens with “Black Plague� and you immediately notice the vocal influences of Michael Kiske (Helloween) and Rob Halford (Judas Priest) which is a commanding change of pace for progressive metal groups who often only have the guitarist steeped in the musical past. Samuel Nyman, the vocalist is gifted with astounding abilities to bring the lyrics to life.

“Purgatorio� the title track is the next selection full of power and passion. The music is more towards their own brand of metal but the vocals have a Geoff Tate (Queensryche) edge to them which takes this song in a powerful direction of hyped Dream Theater replete with strong guitar work. On “Manimalized,� the majestic hand of Savatage runs through this song like an injection of mega-adrenaline. It’s another example of progressive metal for this era beginning to take hold again in a new and respectful manner. Towards the middle of the album “Behind Enemy Lines� is perhaps their most fully realized song in the album that combines all their talents and has the least influences from other bands. This is a blazing epic and the drummer is amazing on this track. On to “Denial� the vocalist is right in front spitting fabulous cadence and confident of band cohesion.

The last track “The Fear Within� has a gritty but deliberate pace to set up the vocalist to sing nearly absent of the band. For music reviewers this is the moment when you know for absolute certainty of the quality of singing chops. They are in there in spades and makes you that much more wanting to listen intensely as the band. I haven’t many bands providing the last track on the album with so much melody and musicianship. Often times the track is of lesser worth and usually stuff at the bottom. Manimal must be writing an abundant amount of material because there was no filler on this album. I’m a believer in these guys. Check them out and you will not be disappointed.

Track Listing
01. Black Plague
02. Purgatorio
03. Manimalized
04. Spreading The Dread
05. Traitor
06. Behind Enemy Lines
07. Denial
08. Edge Of Darkness
09. The Fear Within

Added: October 7th 2018
Reviewer: Mark Antony Rossi
Score:
Related Link: Band Facebook Page
Hits: 1225
Language: english

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