Manii - Kollaps (2013)

Manes, surely one of the most untypical and yet exciting bands of the Norwegian black metal scene, having released three demos throughout the early 90's and eventually recording their debut, Under ein blodraud maane in '99. However, the bands status and place in the scene would drastically change shortly thereafter when the band expanded its line-up, and transformed into some sort of trip hop/post rock/metal/whatever the fuck band around '03. Vocalist, Sargatanas, had already said, "Fuck this," at that point, as the band continued onwards without him, releasing a few albums, EPS and a number of compilations more recently. Around '11, Manes folded, and original member, Cernunnus, either formed Manii, or simply decided that Manii was Manes under a new name. In any case, old vocalist, Sargatanas, was welcomed back and the duo unleashed, Kollaps, in early 2013.

Continuing where, Under ein blodraud maane, left off, Kollaps, is perhaps the album the band should of recorded back in '03, instead of playing games and trying to be Ulver Jr over the past decade.

The album opens with, Skoddeheim, which is a completely immersible piece of enthralling black metal that utilizes deeply celestial keyboard textures, uncanny riffage and the classic witching screams of, Sargatanas. Liv-øydar and Likfugl Flaksar dig deeper into barren lands of eerie gloom with the former having seriously one of the most poignant riffs I've ever heard in a black metal recording, while, Ei Sjæl som Sloknar & Kaldt are overwhelmingly atmospheric in their frigid blackened misery. Endelaust opens with a spine tingling piano piece before diving into what honestly feels like one of the more luminous songs on the record, whereas, Ei Beingrind I Dans, almost feels similar before a mesmerizingly dark riffs cuts in half way through the song and again near its end. Avgrunns DJuv closes out the album, again, taking the listener deeper and deeper, down.

Interestingly, for a black metal album the speed of the record is rather slow; no blasts beats, just miniscule moments of frantic riffing, and there's not even any insanely hellish screams of fury to be found, but rather a slow ride through utter aerial trepidation and back. On the other hand, it could hardly be described as doom metal, as the production, vibe, and flow of the album are as black and grim as these things get. And the keyboards are beyond marvelous too, its really been ages since I got so addicted to a black metal album that had such rich and ample keyboard use.

Kollaps is said and done in just thirty nine minutes, but feels longer, and begs for repeats as it comes to its conclusion. Having been completely stunned by it my first time through, I ended up listening to it for two additional times that evening.

Somehow, this album missed the black metal underground, receiving very few listeners, but perhaps the modern Manes connection was to confusing to warrant purchase from most listeners. Who knows? I do however know that this is surely one of the finest examples of black metal from last year and you're utterly encouraged to look it up as soon as possible.