Band:	Manunkind
Album:	Russian Paradox
Style:	Noise, Industrial metal
Release date:	March 28, 2017
A review by:	Auntie Sahar

01. Russian Paradox
02. Atra Mors
03. The Approximate Man
04. Hall Of Records

"Overlooked 2017 album" review incoming.

Use the Bandcamp search tags or pay attention to our New Album Recommendations thread guys, really. Between those two and other tools at your disposal, there is no excuse for being unable to find new metal today that you enjoy. Just like how I hunted down the hidden gem that is Manunkind.

Getting more into industrial music both inside and outside of metal lately, I've come to realize that it encompasses a wide spectrum of approaches, from the more bouncy, upbeat, and danceable, to the bleak, gritty, and soul sucking. Manunkind undoubtedly sit in that second camp, displaying a sound that, most simply, could be labeled as industrial power electronics. Things get considerably unique, however, when Manunkind throw their noise influences into the mix. There has always been a very thin line between noise music and industrial music, the two flirting with each other a lot over the decades, but Manunkind blur this line between the two in a seamless, effective way quite unusual for many other bands. This fusion was already quite tight on their debut EP in 2016, and it's getting even better with Russian Paradox

The most enjoyable feature of this album is how Manunkind demonstrate their ability to alternate between more destructured, gritty noise effects, and pounding industrial electronics, at times focusing more on one of those techniques over the other, and at others combining them into an all out nightmarish maelstrom of swirling effects, ear piercing feedback, and other malevolent machinations. The mammoth of a title track that opens the album is perhaps the best example: just listen to how it starts off as more of a droney noise track than anything else, complete with some eerie spoken word that makes it sound like some spooky free verse poetry. We stay floating in this electromagnetic stasis until about midway through the track, when the drums really start to kick in and the proverbial Hell breaks loose in the form of a much more pounding, vile industrial approach.

There are many tricks up the sleeves of Manunkind that follow, all serving to effectively establish the maintenance of balance between the haunting, ritualistic noise soundscapes and aggressive electronic barrages I mentioned earlier. Many similarities to other, darker industrial bands rear their heads here: Godflesh, The Body, and even Gnaw Their Tongues, to name a few. Whether these commonalities are just coincidence or intentional, subtle shoutouts to these artists remains a mystery, however, for although they certainly have kinship with them, the sound of Manunkind remains something that is clearly their own. It also must be stressed that this band is just a duo, two members and no more. They have most definitely got the "less is more" formula locked down with this one.

After their debut EP, noise and industrial fans who were watching may have been looking for more, or might have been pleased but simply left curious about the "next step" for Manunkind. Let Russian Paradox put doubts to rest then. This album is far more layered, hypnotizing, and well composed than its predecessor. While being "extreme" at a level that will probably make it appeal to only 5% of the metal community (if not less), Russian Paradox is nonetheless an album that will certainly satisfy if you're looking for a truly bleak, disturbing listening experience. Keep this band on your radar for the future if you're a fan of that good old abysmal, downright evil music.

Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.