Genres: Progressive metal, alternative metal (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Tool, Karnivool, Rishloo
Country: France
Release date: 18 October 2019
[EDITOR’S NOTE: This review was originally published in the October 2019 issue of The Progressive Subway.]
Medium is a unique album. Not in sound, but in its construction. It consists of two long songs, and when both tracks are played at the same time, they form a cohesive whole.
One might guess that for an album like this, each side on its own would feel weak compared to the combination of both. While both sides at once is for sure the optimal way to listen to Medium, the individual tracks are still incredibly solid on their own. Understandably, they’re generally similar to one another, but stand in stark contrast to each other at times, too. If they weren’t playable over each other, I’d still have just about the same opinion on this album. The gimmick is cool, but it works because it’s a combination of two good songs.
But how does the album actually sound? I hear Gojira influences in the vocals at times, and the grooves occasionally sound djenty, but I can pretty easily sum up this album’s sound in one word. Tool. If you like Tool, chances are you’ll like this album, and vice versa. I have to give Mantra credit. They do a pretty great Tool impression on this album while mixing in a few elements of their own, but I wouldn’t say that they’ve come into their own yet. This album is good, but if they bring in more influences from outside the Toolosphere, it could’ve been great. I’m for sure keeping an eye on these guys, though.
Recommended tracks: it’s merely two tracks, just listen to it
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Final verdict: 6.5/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives page
Label: Finisterian Dead End – Facebook | Official Website
Mantra is:
– Pierre Junod (vocals)
– Simon Saint-Georges (guitars)
– Thomas Courtin (bass)
– Gabriel Junod (drums)
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