MANTIC RITUAL’S EXECUTIONER – ALBUM OF THE YEAR SO FAR, SAYETH THE OLD FART
Monday, May 18th, 2009 at 3:58pm by Corey Mitchell
Have you ever popped in a CD that you knew nothing about beforehand, had no expectations of whatsoever, and were so completely blown away by what lay within the “grooves” that you were forced to reconsider everything you thought about the state of heavy metal?
Nah, me neither.
That is…until I heard Mantic Ritual’s Executioner.
The Pittsburgh, PA thrash band, formerly known as Meltdown, have recently earned raves from the Godfather of Thrash, one Mr. James Hetfield*. That may be damning with faint praise these days, but the Metallica frontman is absolutely, 100% correct in his assessment that Executioner is the “Best Debut Thrash Album” of 2009.
I’ll go much further and stake my claim that Mantic Ritual’s Executioner is the best debut album by a band of any musical genre since the aforementioned Metallica’s Kill ‘Em All was released way back in 1983.
But how can an album that was originally released in 2007 (and re-released by Nuclear Blast with one additional track in March 2009) and harkens back to the glory(hole) days of thrash metal – circa 1986, with obvious reference points being Megadeth, Anthrax, Exodus, and, of course, Metallica — change the face of metal? How can something new that sounds like something old bring something new (not nü) to metal? Besides, it’s all been done before and these guys are just a bunch of Metallica wannabes, right?
Hell, no!
Upon the first spin, Executioner does transport the listener to a much cooler era in metal with torn denim, white Reebok basketball shoes, jean jackets with Cro-Mags and Voi Vod back patches, and, especially, that first time you cracked open the plastic on the record sleeve of a little Megaforce Records ditty known as Kill ‘Em All. Indeed, at first it sounds as if this is Kill ‘Em All, Part 2; however, Metallica could only dream of making such a bad ass album as Executioner.
The early Metallica comparisons are first drawn due to vocalist/guitarist Dan Wetmore’s tendency to ape certain Hetfield vocal stylings such as the higher pitched screams and key transitional words such as “Alright!” and “Go!” There is also some riffage within that reminds one of Hammett/Hetfield and there are even lyrics that seem directly pilfered from the Thrash legends. Upon multiple spins, however, it becomes apparent that Mantic Ritual have a lot more going on than simply being a heavily Metallica-influenced band.
Solid songwriting is displayed on every track, with the added bonus of memorable musical passages and chant-able choruses, as evidenced in “Black Tar Sin” and “Panic.” Group chorus vocals appear sporadically, ala Anthrax and Cro-Mags, and guitar solos make proud appearances throughout the album. Reminiscent of Judas Priest and Testament, guitarists Wetmore and Jeff Potts string together ball-crushing riffs along with tastefully wicked solos. Drummer Adam Haritan (and lyricist on two songs) displays power and finesse, despite the seeming contradiction, and never overdoes it. He’s not about insane blast beats but rather knowing when to keep a steady, simple tempo and when to flail away with insane fills. Bassist Ben Mottsman holds down the potential chaos and shines on the cut, “Double the Blood.”
Lyrically, Wetmore spins graphic yarns about war, serial killers, and more murder. Not the most original of material, but it’s the perfect fit for the MR sound. He does toss off a few solid one-liners here and there such as “Face drenched death whips,” “Ammunition costs, but the murder is always free,” and “You could die by nature, you could die alone – But I think it’s better if you don’t die alone.”
There is not a single weak track on Executioner or a single dull moment. Seven-minute-plus songs such as “Black Tar Sin” and “Souls” never drag and seem to last only three minutes. Indeed, the only fault I have with this album is that I wanted more when it was over.
In today’s short-attention span iPod age, listening to entire albums is almost passé. And as an Old Fart with a job and a three-year-old daughter to raise, music has to reach up and kick me in the nutsack to truly grab my attention. If you don’t have it within the first minute, I’m gone. I don’t have time for crap (which is why I have only listened to Death Magnetic once and vowed to never listen to it again). I have probably listened to Mantic Ritual’s Executioner 30 times front to back, in the last week alone. As a matter of fact, I have not even listened to the other six albums that Vince sent me because I have been completely locked into this one.
Mantic Ritual has the potential to move metal away from the overdone, played out deathcore breakdowns, blast beat overdose, and Cookie Monster vomit spews that have dominated the genre for far too long. Their ability to display solid songcraft while maintaining a high-level of heaviness should win over any lover of metal. Plus, the added bonus of being able to understand the vocals, headbang to riffs galore, and throw the goat in your bedroom or a nightclub during the numerous solos should provide hours of pure enjoyment for headbangers everywhere.
Executioner is, unequivocally, the best album of 2009 for me and the best debut album in the past 26 years.
As a result, whether or not Vince and Axl agree with me, I give it an ultra-enthusiastic five horns.
-CM
(five out of five horns)
*James Hetfield has no idea who Mantic Ritual is nor did he single it out for praise. That comes courtesy of a mock press release from Nuclear Blast, yet provided me with an excellent jumping off point for this review.
One By One video:
[Corey Mitchell writes books about serial killers, mass murderers, and the evil that men do. He is also the founder of the #1 true crime blog, In Cold Blog, and recently completed a road cycling century last month without keeling over.]
Wow, a perfect score?! I guess I have to check this one out.
And I don’t dole them out lightly.
you dicks are just gonna give everything 5 horns now, arent you?
that said, mantic ritual slays! i saw them open for rotting christ, and it was definitely a time-travel kind of experience.
Nah, only the third in the blog’s history. Just so happens to coincide with Vince’s fiver for Mastodon last week. Of course, since we’re both lazy asses, they should have been out a month or two ago.
Oh wow, totally digging these guys. No homo.
I’ll check the album out for sure.
Farhaad, glad to know you’re not homo…I guess??
Wow. Sold.
I was able to get their Meltdown demo CD while I lived in Pittsburgh. It remains a constant on my iPod. I can only imagine how they re-vamped some of these songs for this Nuclear Blast debut.
Incidentally, does anyone know how often Nuclear Blast releases vinyl versions of their release? I’d love to have this on wax.
No idea on the vinyl — sorry.
Yeah, look at Mantic’s page on the Nuclear Blast Europe website. They just released the vinyl a few weeks ago.
It’s a really great new thrash CD, but kind of same-y after a while. A lot better than some of the other shit coming out today. I’d give it 4/5
also:
“Mantic Ritual has the potential to move metal away from the overdone, played out deathcore breakdowns, blast beat overdose, and Cookie Monster vomit spews that have dominated the genre for far too long.”
THANK FUCKING CHRIST TO THAT!
The sameyness wears off after about five spins and you really hear a whole lot more there. Hints of the obvious thrashmasters of course, but also second- and third-tier thrash bands such as Agent Steel, Zoetrope, English Dogs, Helstar, Sacred Reich, Atrophy, and Flotsam & Jetsam make their presence felt as well. Not to mention late ’80s-era Ministry. Also, Dan Wetmore’s vocals are reminiscent to Joey Belladonna, Kurt from D.R.I. and even Armored Saint-era John Bush.
Great review, Corey. But I thought you liked vomit-spewed Cookie Monster deathcore.
Thanks, Sammy. I like grindcore and I like death metal, but the co-opting of the tents of those genres into the so-called mainstream metal just seems flat out wrong to me. Those are acquired tastes for trips to the darker side. It’s similar to being a frequent reader of true crime books and then dipping your toe in the occasional visit to Kiuma.com or watching videos on Bloodshow. Much darker, interesting, but you don’t want to stick around all day.
Great, you fucker. Made me look. I shoulda known to wait ’til after eating my multi-colored medley of vegetables before making a trip to Kiuma (the new Rotten.com?).
Kiuma’s more like the new Ogrish. Much more disgusting and less jokey than Rotten.
“played out deathcore breakdowns, blast beat overdose, and Cookie Monster vomit spews that have dominated the genre for far too long” – Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Sure this is decent thrash metal, but I can name you at least five thrash debuts from the last few years that are better than this: Hellish Crossfire (their debut is one of the best thrashers I’ve heard since about ‘89), Victimizer, Evile, Hammered (USA), Violator. Not that I’m ragging on this, cause it is good, it just isn’t that good.
I love Evile. I’ll be sure to check out the others as well. If they are half as good as Mantic Ritual then I am in for a pleasant surprise.
While I like Hellish Crossfire and Evil Army, I’d put them more in the Cro-Mags category than the prime Metallica category. Now, “The Age of Quarrel” is in my Top 20 desert island discs, but Cro-Mags still never rose to the level of Metallica’s greatness back in the day. I believe MR has the ability to do just that and eclipse the Hellish Crossfires and Evil Armies of the world. Still, great stuff!
i dont like it. i hope that doesnt mean im gay…
Nah, but I think Farhaad was checking you out.
You fool! You cannot diss the “no homo.”
Shit! This is good stuff–I hate deathcore breakdowns and Cookie Monster vomit spews.
Glad you gave these guys some love. I got their CD after seeing them open for Rotting Christ and I do not regret it one bit. They fucking rock.
These dudes are fucking hometown heroes. They are all really nice dudes and they rip shit up live. I preordered this album and got so pumped when it arrived in the mail. This album slays hard. If you like thrash at all check this shit out.
I’ll have to check this shit out. See if it measures up to the hype you’ve created.
WHAT THE FUCK!? This band is amazing thanks for the info man, they deserve 5 horns \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/
These guys are good, but Evil Army stomps all over them.
download initiated.
Awesome, awesome band. Thrashatonement is an awesome track, not heard whole album yet but better get my ass in gear after this review!
Thanks for the heads up, just downloaded this from emusic and it’s really good. Proper old school thrash.
I’m loving this revival, this, Evile and Lazarus AD, just can’t get enough.
this album is AWESOME. Panic… best song. nuff said. in fact, i’m turning it on now.
Since when do we have an intern?!?!?!
Now I will embark on great journey of thrash, starting with Mantic Ritual, Agent Steel, Zoetrope, Hellish Crossfire and the other bands advised. My thanks to you, Corey and Tim!
Lazarus AD is still my favorite debut this year so far — not many albums make me go “what the fuck?!” with the first riff, but they pulled it off.
MR would be good party thrash for me… drink some PBRs to it, that kind of thing. It’s well done though, and I’d love to hear this on vinyl… I’d play it right after my Exciter LP. :)
The LAD record rips as well, but not quite to the level of MR. Looking forward to seeing LAD with Testament and Unearth here in SA in about a week or so.
Alright, well I took a listen to their MySpace and while it’s indeed very good, I’m just not feeling it like LAD. I like my thrash to have a darker vibe anyway, so that’s probably why I lean more towards that side of the fence. Plus, LAD’s drummer frickin’ RIPS.
Thanks for the recommendation, though; looking forward to the next review.
OMG!!!! I couldn’t agree with you more! After reading your review and hearing a couple songs on myspace, I had to buy it… This is the best album I’ve heard in a long long time. Thank you so much for turning me onto this band. Incredible speedy wonderfullness!!! This album has a lot of balls. It is right up there with Kill’em All.
MetalTodd, you are a man of impeccable taste.
album of the year? seriously? come on dude.
Ummm, yep. Hands down.
Way better than the more main stream thrash juggernauts out there.
I will definitely be picking this up soon!
Hmmm… pretty good stuff. I definitely hear the similarities to Kill ‘Em All-era Metallica. Still, I wouldn’t necessarily consider this a 5-star album, and certainly not album of the year, not with the new Obscura, TrollfesT, and Amorphis albums, and with new Clutch yet to come. It’s solid, but it’s not exactly treading new ground.
Corey, have you heard the original release of this album? I think it actually works better than the Nuclear Blast release.
No, I have not heard it. Would love to. Anyone wanna send me a copy?