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THE BLACK CIRCUS PART 1 - LETTERS

Manticora

Progressive Metal


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Manticora The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters album cover
4.02 | 13 ratings | 2 reviews | 31% 5 stars

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Studio Album, released in 2006

Songs / Tracks Listing

1. Enter the Carnival (2:07)
2. The Black Circus (5:26)
3. Intuneric I (0:31)
4. Enchanted Mind (5:30)
5. Intuneric II (1:02)
6. Forever Carousel (5:54)
7. Freakshow (4:53)
8. Gypsies' Dance Part 1 (6:34)
9. Intuneric III (0:36)
10. Wisdom (7:00)
11. Intuneric IV (2:00)
12. Disciples of the Entities (5:48)

Total Time 47:21

Line-up / Musicians

- Lars Larsen / vocals
- Kristian Larsen / guitars
- Martin Arendal / guitars
- Andreas Lindahl / keyboards
- Kasper Gram / bass
- Mads Volf / drums

Releases information

Massacre Records

Japanese version includes bonus track "Soul Devourer"

Korean version includes the bonus videoclip "Private Hell (Live in Paris)"

Thanks to Plankowner for the addition
and to projeKct for the last updates
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MANTICORA The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters ratings distribution


4.02
(13 ratings)
Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music(31%)
31%
Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection(46%)
46%
Good, but non-essential (23%)
23%
Collectors/fans only (0%)
0%
Poor. Only for completionists (0%)
0%

MANTICORA The Black Circus Part 1 - Letters reviews


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Collaborators/Experts Reviews

Review by UMUR
SPECIAL COLLABORATOR Honorary Collaborator
4 stars "The Black Circus, Part 1: Letters" is the 5th full-length studio album by Danish power metal act Manticora. The album was released in August 2006 by Massacre Records. As the title suggests itīs the first part of a two album concept. The second part titled "The Black Circus, Part 2: Disclosure" was released in 2007.

on "The Black Circus, Part 1: Letters" Manticora play a quite intriguing and effectful blend of Euro power metal, traditional heavy metal, progressive metal and thrash metal. They are definitely one of the more harder edged European power metal acts out there. Lead vocalist Lars Larsen has a hoarse type voice that sets Manticora apart from most other power metal acts and probably is an aquired taste for some. The addition of female vocals in "Wisdom" are a nice feature that brings varation. There are other more unmistakable power metal features in the music though, like fast played double bass pedal sections, grand choirs and anthemic choruses. Some of those parts remind me slightly of an act like Blind Guardian and how they sounded in the early- to mid nineties. The music is predominantly guitar driven and there are quite a few harmonies being played on the album that reminds me of Iron Maiden. The last influence Iīm gonna mention is King Diamond. Itīs not only because of the dark horror/ freakshow themed concept lyrics, which have a definite King Diamond quality about them (just listen to the accented narration in some of the tracks), but also because of the semi-thrashy, melodic and powerful music style that Manticora practises.

The reason for the "Letters" in the title of "The Black Circus, Part 1: Letters", is that the lyrics for each of the tracks on the album is a letter written by the narrator to a friend. Telling the tale of his encounter with a black gypsy circus where foul yet exciting things take place. The album features 12 tracks (the Japanese version includes the bonus track "Soul Devourer"). Only 7 out of those 12 tracks are "regular" length tracks though. The remaining tracks are shorter atmosphere enhancing intros and interludes with narration that helps the storyline come along. Intros and interludes donīt always work on concept albums like this, but here they do exactly what they are intended to do. They create atmosphere and suspense before the more "regular" tracks take over and they do it well. Speaking of the "regular" tracks they are all high quality power metal tracks with an emphasis on power. They are quite sophisticated though and therefore a progressive power metal tag isnīt all wrong.

The sound production by Tommy Hansen (who also helped arrange and compose the keyboard parts) is also of high class. A very professional and powerful sounding production.

"The Black Circus, Part 1: Letters" is just through and through a high quality power metal album that should appeal to fans of the more hard hitting yet still melodic adventurous/progressive part of the genre. I think itīs a very impressive release featuring brilliant musicianship, clever songwriting and one hell of a powerful production and a 4 - 4.5 star rating isnīt too much.

Latest members reviews

4 stars Probably a 4 star epic thrash/power metal album and their best to date (pre-Safe). The lyrics are actually quite good, despite a couple of funny lines. The music is very enjoyable European style thrash riffing, powerhouse drumming with Malmsteen-esque lead guitar, Maiden-esque harmony solos, with ... (read more)

Report this review (#303675) | Posted by praj912 | Tuesday, October 12, 2010 | Review Permanlink

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