MANTICORA — Safe

MetalMusicArchives.com — the ultimate metal music online community, from the creators of progarchives.com

MANTICORA - Safe cover
4.09 | 4 ratings | 2 reviews
Buy this album from MMA partners

Album · 2010

Filed under Power Metal
By MANTICORA

Tracklist

1. In The Abyss Of Desperation (5:32)
2. Silence The Freedom (7:05)
3. Complete (5:30)
4. From The Pain Of Loss ( I Learned About The Truth) (4:37)
5. A Lake That Drained (6:02)
6. Carrion Eaters (6:35)
7. Safe (14:10)

Total Time 49:31

Line-up/Musicians

- Lars F. Larsen / Vocals
- Kristian H. Larsen / Guitars
- Martin Arendal / Guitars
- Kasper Gram / Bass
- Ronni Clasen / Keyboards
- Mads Volf / Drums

About this release

Full-length, Nightmare Records, October 12th, 2010

8. Embryonic Man (bonus track Japan)

Thanks to UMUR for the addition

Buy MANTICORA - SAFE music

More places to buy metal & MANTICORA music

MANTICORA SAFE reviews

Specialists/collaborators reviews

Warthur
MMA Reviewer's Challenge: Album selected by DippoMagoo.

Manticora's Safe is perhaps the heaviest, scariest thing I’ve ever heard which can still call itself power metal, with excellent opener In the Abyss of Desperation introducing the listener both to the band’s crushing, galloping riffs, mild symphonic touches to spice things up, and the unique vocal style of lead vocalist Lars Larsen, which manages to sound simultaneously powerfully operatic and weirdly fragile, like it could give out at any moment.

I particularly like the fact that the band really show an appreciation of the speed metal roots of power metal and bring that influence out to play in their work. Looking at the track lengths you may - not incorrectly - expect the band to indulge in some prog-influenced long-form song structures. (There’s a sort of Wagnerian chant bit partway into the title track that really gets the goosebumps rising.) But don’t be fooled; this is a rough, tough album which will smash you over the head with the band’s wild compositions.

Though I think the album slumps in a little, overall this is a solid release which prompts me to look deeper into Manticora's discograpy. If this is “Safe”, I’d tremble to hear what Manticora think constitutes “Danger”!
UMUR
"Safe" is the 7th full-length studio album by Danish power metal act Manticora. The album was released in October 2010 by Nightmare Records. Manticora has long been one of the most prolific Danish power metal acts on the scene consistently releasing quality power metal albums.

The music on "Safe" pretty much follow the usual formula for Manticora. That means power metal rooted in the neo-classical euro power metal tradition but with a much heavier and at times even thrashy edge to it compared to the more whimsical style many of their collegues practice. Lead vocalist Lars F. Larsen can hit some pretty high notes but predominantly sings in a hoarse vocal style (think a heavy metal version of Rod Stewart). But ultimately it´s the powerful and memorable riffs that make all the difference to me. While the music features keyboards this is predominatly guitar driven power metal. The tracks are generally structurally complex and it wouldn´t be wrong to call the music progressive power metal. Especially the 14:10 minutes long title track. The tracks are memorable with anthemic choruses but I never feel that Manticora fall into the cheese trap. Their music is simply too intricate, tasteful and challenging for that. At the same time it can kick some serious ass which the opening track "In The Abyss Of Desperation" is a good example of.

With a professional and powerful sound production, clever songwriting and excellent musicianship "Safe" is in my book one great power metal album that I can highly recommend to fans of the more progressive and heavy part of the power metal genre. I guess Lars F. Larsen hoarse voice might pose and issue to some, but personally I enjoy his vocal style and sound. A 3.5 - 4 star rating is fully deserved.

Members reviews

No MANTICORA SAFE reviews posted by members yet.

Ratings only

  • DippoMagoo
  • Nergal131

Write/edit review

You must be logged in to write or edit review

MMA TOP 5 Metal ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
Master of Puppets Thrash Metal
METALLICA
Buy this album from our partners
Paranoid Heavy Metal
BLACK SABBATH
Buy this album from our partners
Moving Pictures Hard Rock
RUSH
Buy this album from our partners
Powerslave NWoBHM
IRON MAIDEN
Buy this album from our partners
Rising Heavy Metal
RAINBOW
Buy this album from our partners

New Metal Artists

New Metal Releases

Hin helga kvöl Atmospheric Sludge Metal
SÓLSTAFIR
Buy this album from MMA partners
The Cycles of Suffering Black Metal
BURIAL OATH
Buy this album from MMA partners
Facilis Descensus Averno Death Metal
SAEVUS FINIS
Buy this album from MMA partners
Merciless Crossover Thrash
BODY COUNT
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Metal Online Videos

More videos

New MMA Metal Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Metal News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us