ALBUM REVIEW: Post Apocalyptic Depression – Mantar

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Germany’s MANTAR have forged an impressive discography in their decade-plus career. Now on their sixth album, they have become very skilled at writing dirty, groove-laden metal and it’s even more impressive once you discover there’s only two of them. They might be part of the enduring tradition of rock duos, but these guys are the nastier, noisier end of the spectrum. They’re the kids who somehow get away with flouting the uniform rules, who smell of glue and cigarette smoke, and who ROYAL BLOOD and THE WHITE STRIPES nervously shift away from when travelling on the school bus.

Post Apocalyptic Depression is the follow-up to 2022’s Pain Is Forever And This Is The End and almost feels like a reaction to it. That record was a complex, multi-layered effort and showcased an ambitious side, but this one is far more direct. Kicking off with the obnoxious swagger of Absolute Ghost, it sounds like they’ve just walked into a studio, plugged into the first amps they could find and started playing. It’s a fast, punky mix of high-octane rock and black metal depravity and about as close to a live album as a studio recording can get.

The next thirty-six minutes is a bit like being transported into a cramped, 100-capacity venue and having a half-naked rock star repeatedly diving onto you. Rex Perverso is the sound of getting a hairy armpit in the face, Church Of Suck is like having a guitar headstock come within centimetres of knocking your teeth out, and Face Of Torture is akin to getting something that you really hope isn’t vomit splattering on the back of your neck. It’s loud, unhinged, disgusting and utterly brilliant.

By the time Axe Death Scenario and Cosmic Abortion brings things to a chaotic finale, Post Apocalyptic Depression has been an adrenaline-charged and occasionally raucous journey. Finishing it is like seeing the sun come up and realising you’ve been awake the entire night, your friends have all vanished and one of your teeth is missing. The non-stop barrage of larynx-scraping vocals and piledriver drumming is deliriously entertaining and you’ll want to start it all over again.

Crucially though, you don’t have to dive into the pit to enjoy MANTAR. They might seem overly intense but there’s enough subtle differentiations in the songwriting to reward anyone that wants to stand by the bar and have a beer. There are enough catchy hooks to reel in more than the local stage-diving club, with Principle Of Command especially having a wonderful call and response chorus. Post Apocalyptic Depression is rock music at its most raw and unfiltered, and all the better for it. If you haven’t cleaned your leather jacket in years, say hello to the first unmissable album of 2025.

Rating: 8/10

Post Apocalyptic Depression - Mantar

Post Apocalyptic Depression is set for release on February 14th via Metal Blade Records. 

The post ALBUM REVIEW: Post Apocalyptic Depression – Mantar appeared first on Distorted Sound Magazine.

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