Linear Sphere - Manvantara - review
Linear Sphere - Manvantara - review
Tracklist
01. Origin02. Manvantara
03. Cycle Of Ages
04. Inner Flame
05. Reset Realign
06. The Dawning
A review by
Milena December 02, 2012
For their second album, they've opted to tell us the story of Man's spiritual evolution and take us on a dark journey through the ages. The man responsible for the esoteric lyrics and concepts is the same man who delivers them in the studio - the band's vocalist Jos. Just like Metal Storm's Undercraft, who reviewed their debut some seven years ago, I found it very hard to acclimate to his theatrical, supernatural villain/mad scientist approach to singing. On occasions when he employs his "natural" voice and when the vocals don't lay so heavily on top, my listening experience betters.
Musically, Manvantara is quite interesting, and in a similar vein to the Arch/Matheos effort of 2011 (to use a recent reference) - dark, modern, intense prog, mostly guitar-oriented, with the bass (occasionally a chapman stick!) and drums stealing the spotlight sometimes, and atmospheric keys brightening the tone in select moments. But just because it's interesting doesn't mean it's engaging by default. I've spun the album many times, since, in theory, it is something I should like, but I find it to be one of the albums that completely "deny" me as a listener. If a piece of music is supposed to take me on a journey, I'd like to be a part of the story, and not a passive recipient to whom the story will be told. Whenever I play it, I feel like I am going to the prom with a wonderful guy and then sitting in the corner under corny decorations and watching him have all the fun in the world. However, there might be other more appreciative girls in the crowd he's chatting up, so look the album up if you're interested, it might pay off for you.
Favorite track: "Inner Flame"
Comments
Comments:
8
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Posts: 4603 Written by tea[m]ster on 02.12.2012 at 13:00 Yeah, I know you do 
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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Posts: 1571
Back in the day I've heard their debut couple of times, was not so memorable for me. Like a month ago I've spotted an article somewhere about this and I got interesting in checking it out, damn it's been 7 years since their first. Thanks for the review Milena!
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Posts: 409
The band name, the album title, the song titles and the cover art.. all of them scream psytrance
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Posts: 4603 Written by Slyfang on 02.12.2012 at 22:12 That's an interesting viewpoint 
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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| Stabby
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Posts: 5989
The beginning of this review... Milena, I am going to love you forever In all seriousness though, sounds like some pretty challenging, thought provoking music... in other words, right up my alley 
---- I am the Magician and the Exorcist. I am the axle of the wheel, and the cube in the circle. “Come unto me” is a foolish word: for it is I that go. ~ II. VII
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Posts: 4603 Written by Auntie Sahar on 04.02.2013 at 19:35 I am going to love you forever now 
---- 7.0 means the album is good
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