Nowadays, the Power Metal terrain is well mapped. Discovering new territory is becoming more and more difficult.
Manigance did exactly that with their 2002 album '
Ange Ou Demon', but arguably, 2004's '
D'un Autre Sang' saw the band conceding ground to some of the new kids on the block.
Thankfully, guitarist Francoise Merle and vocalist Didier Delsaux appear to have sharpened up their songwriting pencils for this,
Manigance's fourth full studio album,
'L'Ombre Et La Lumiere'.
That said, and maybe it's no surprise, there's nothing here to match the majesty of '
Dernier Hommage', the splendour of
'L'Ultime Seconde' or the adrenalin pumping kick of
'Integrite' from 'AOD'. But a number of tracks at least replicate '
Ange Ou Demon's energetic vitality and one or two come tantalisingly close to 'Ange Ou Demon's power metal benchmark.
'L'Ombre et la Lumiere' explodes into life with the awesome sensory overload of
'Envahisseur', a gilded Prog/Power metal hybrid. Other standout moments include the escalating operatics of '
Sang Millenaire', the neck snapping, high velocity power of '
Privilege' and
'Sentinelle's pneumatically powered riff and motorised rhythms. But album standout by a mile (or a kilometre) is the atypical '
La Force Des Souvenirs'. This track positively pulses with life and is suffused with such compassion and tenderness that in any other setting, the surrounding tracks would seem cold and emotionless.
The one constant across all four albums - and therefore easy to take for granted - has been Merle's plush, heavily layered production. Here, it's coated with a sheen of sonic grandeur that is absolutely perfect for the band's ambitious power metal, and particularly for Delsaux's dynamic delivery. Within that operatic framework, Merle's own guitarwork is epic, creating an overwhelming sense of momentum and an unstoppable drive that just takes no prisoners.
Frequently, where the songs just aren't strong enough, the performances and the production save the day.
But unfortunately, at times you just can't escape the feeling that it's all a bit forced, that what could have been so special is rendered a little bit predictable by the lack of really memorable melodies. But have no doubt, this is better than most, it's just that
Manigance now seem to be constantly teetering on the brink - greatness seems impossibly elusive for this outstanding band. Pity.
Written by
Brian Thursday, June 1, 2006
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