Impaled Nazarene, Manifest
So how does one go about outdoing their previous nine albums? It’s simple really. Just take a look at Impaled Nazarene’s latest release Manifest as a blueprint for such a feat. Easily their longest and most diverse album to date, Manifest spans the groups repertoire and then some to deliver their message. Veiled in black metal, the band employs elements of thrash, death metal structures and punk aesthetics with great success.
The wall of sound that forces itself from the speaks when this disc is rotating bursts with inspired solos, crushing rhythms and a diversity unheard of within the confines of one album. Throw in Mika Luttinen’s socio-political vocals and you have yourself a classic album that takes the strongest elements from all of the band’s previous albums and hacks them together for their most powerful release in years, if not to date.
Intro – Greater Wrath
A minute plus of noise and other generic intro filler can be skipped in future playings of this album.
The Antichrist Files
“The Antichrist Files” starts off quickly with an old school thrash/black metal feel as the band spouts pro Satanism lyrics vehemently. Vintage Impaled Nazarene fills the next minute or so with pummeling drums and caustic guitars.
Mushroom Truth
This next one continues where the last one left off — shoving black metal goodness down your gullet. The chorus on this one is catchier than all get out. Unrelenting blasts from the drums continue through the entire track without slowing once.
You Don’t Rock Hard
I love the punk fueled, tongue-in-cheek aspect to this next song. Excellent riffing and raw drums carry Luttinen’s vocals along with disgust and apathy. This is just a fun song, period. There’s no preparing for the insane lead that comes in at the 1:45 mark. Holy shit, it’s sick.
Pathogen
“Pathogen” starts of with huge guitars before the band jumps into a high speed blender and thrashes the fuck out. There’s some real creative drum work throughout this one. Man, it’s amazing these dudes are still this angry after all these years. It’s a good thing for us they still are, or we wouldn’t have solos like the one at the two minute mark.
Pandemia
Damn, the start to this next song is heavy and memorable. Anti-religion rhetoric fuels this beast of a track. There’s more mayhem in this short track than you can throw an anarchist at.
The Calling
The opening lead to “The Calling” is… is… amazing. What a way to start off a song. More pro Satanism fills the air as this one blasts through the speakers. There are some catchy riffs throughout this one as the drums batter your skull to bits. The crushing riffs and drums at the 1:40 mark are something to keep an eye out for.
Funeral For Despicable Pigs
Groove oriented riffs and rhythms get the flow for this one moving along at a decent pace. Luttinen’s vocals have gone a bit deeper in their guttural delivery. I’ve already found myself growling along with the chorus more times than I can count. This one is certainly one of the slowest tracks on the album — it makes for a nice change up from the constant assault that has been the album thus far. It ends with funeral like pipe organ.
Planet Nazarene
“Planet Nazarene” begins with a memorable series of riffs and creative drum work. This one’s overall feel is decidely evil — no if, ands, or severed heads about it. Wow, there’s another amazing lead just before the three minute mark.
Blueprint For Your Culture’s Apocalypse
Straight forward, old school thrash ignites at the onset of this next song. If you haven’t started your own circle pit by now there’s something seriously wrong with you.
Goat Justice
Bringing in their oddball sense of humor, Impaled Nazarene have once again included a song with the word “goat” in the title. I’m pretty sure there’s one on every album they’ve released thus far. And the opening lead to it is sick as hell. Man, this song crushes.
Die Insane
Mid-tempo thrash keeps the momentum moving with “Die Insane.” Check out the 1:40 mark for some great riffs and guttural vocals.
Original Pig Rig
The chugging riffs and drum blasts that start off this next one carry a great groove as the vocals shred. The chorus is insane. “Original Pig Rig” is a raw and energetic thrashing affair that simply cannot be missed.
Suicide Song
A clash of riffs and unrelenting drums start off “Suicide Song.” This one is darker than the rest, and I suppose that’s appropriate considering the lyrical content. There is some nice melodic guitar work around the three minute mark that lightens the mood a bit, but not too much.
When Violence Commands The Day
Skull crushing drums and an evil riff open this one up along with a huge scream from Luttinen. The 1:10 spot mark some nicely timed blasts and moshing riffs before the group shifts into thrash mode once again. I love the chugging groove to this one, especially this late in the album. It really keeps you interested all the way to the end of the disc.
Dead Return
“Dead Return” has a melancholy feel to it as it gets going. The mood quickly shifts toward a bleak end as the vocals come in and the pace slows to a suffocating pace. This track is a monstrously dark beast. The riffs are slower, darker and lean toward the more doomy ends of metal.
~ ~ ~
Impaled Nazarene have certainly outdone themselves with this latest effort. It’s their most diverse, most dynamic and certainly most powerful album to date. It’s amazing that a band that’s been around for 17 plus years in such a tight genre has been able to standout for so long.
Favorite Tracks:
All of them
Additional Notes:
N/A