[nicola]

MANTICORE





....few news about this group classified as Symphonic Prog that returns after a long break with a good album "Elements" ...
for the news about the group I rely on the review of Second Endeavor which states among other things that the present biography on progarchives it is not correct




ABOUT

MANTICORE

....MANTICORE Biography and album review
from Progarchives.com website by Second Endeavor


5 stars MANTICORE was originated in 1985 by Ulf Holmberg and his brother Göran with partnership of Kjell Jansson, Per Saavedra, Michael Loof and Pär Lindh. Then there were several years of existing, with various changes in line-up along the way, before unveiling the debut CD 'Time To Fly' in 1994. Curiously enough, after successful gigging for appreciative audiences around Sweden and Norway, Manticore disappeared from view... A nearby quarter-century hiatus ends when three co-founders (Ulf Holmberg, Göran Holmberg and Per Saavedra) reconvened to work together. There is always the worry that a follow-up could be something of an anti-climax so I'm happy to report that is not the case. As effect of involving Jon Sundberg to the group's ranks, Manticore have come up with the second studio release 'Flight 19' (2018) featuring a rather peculiar assortment of songs - combination of their own stuff and covers, where every ingredient counts. Four years on, the band unveil the third CD 'Elements' destined to take us back again to the Glory days of the early 1970's. The deja vu feeling is present far and wide. While it's certainly a modern recording, you'd swear that much of influences came from legendary forefathers of the style. There is a blameless 'RETRO' feel around with mandatory hallmarks of classic symphonic-prog and the material contained within the set definitely ensures that goal. Methinks, major influences on the album come from the UK bands like Genesis, ELP, Greenslade, The Beatles, Electric Light Orchestra (to name a few) that can be heard alongside echoes of early Kaipa. The perfectly-styled guitar licks evoke Steve Hackett or even Roine Stolt. The use of cathedral organ, Mellotron, soaring synths could give you append clues. If that's not sufficient yet, a refined nod to Led Zeppelin on one song brings a dissimilar colour. Yep, these Swedes have found a cache of unique musical memories and give 6 distinctive compositions for us to hear in amaze. Overall, the blend of instrumental pieces and vocal songs, and there is a good balance between the two types. As far as any parallels with newer bands are concerned, Dynamo Bliss (primarily, '21st Century Junk') and Moon Safari come to my mind too. But regardless of comparisons, Manticore successfully pulls it off without sounding overmuch derivative or trite. The band never employ the long format keeping their compositions rather compact to match inventiveness with the fine melodicism. The rich instrumentation lays out the canvas for beautiful vocal interplay between two singers. It is really difficult to pick exclusive moments because all of individual tracks on the offer are pretty darn good. Even so, definite mention deserves the auld composition 'Rain Is Falling' (written back in 1985, and now fully re-arranged). Throughout the album, Ulf Holmberg is in prominent roles of guitarman and keyboardist. Whithal, essential importance of leader can hardly be considered an absolute monopoly, since there is a lot of room for other members to produce the marvellous sonic spectrum. Göran Holmberg takes on vocal duties, as well as providing bass throbs inspired by Chris Squire. Being another frontman, Jon Sundberg adds his lovely singing performance, he also plays organ for the closing number of CD. Putte Saavedra provides the elegant work on drums and percussion. Despite the fact that Manticore have a base configuration, the special guest was brought onboard - Kjell Haraldsson (Hassy Froberg Musical Companion) who's drenching analogue and digital keyboards at instrumental 'The Wood'. Another mention goes to Jonas Dominique for his tasty string arrangement (violin, viola and cello) of track entitled 'Open Your Eyes'. When all of these musicians stand united and focus common signal, they create a genuine retro vibe.. Conclusion. This new Manticore album will probably haunt my CD player for a long time.
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P.S. Just a little supplement. So far, Prog Archives feature incorrect info about those who're involved to make aforementioned release.

Second Endeavour | 5/5 | 2022-12-21












Hi friends

2022 Work in Progress..ive



These are my best tracks of 2022


Track Title-Group or Artist-Album

The Chosen Ones-LALU-Paint the Sky

Land of Green (part 1)-KARFAGEN-Land of Green and Gold

Jagannath-SIMON PHILLIPS-Protocol V

Alda-BREIDABLIK-Alduorka

Mrs Tibbets-JETHRO TULL-The Zealot Gene

Living For A Better Day-TIME HORIZON-Power Of Three

A Needle Tree-KARCIUS-Grey White Silver Yellow and Gold

No Still Moment-LIGHTHOUSE SPARROWS-Aerials

Little Pretty-STEVE VAI-Inviolate

The Elephants of Mars-JOE SATRIANI-The Elephants of Mars

Wilderness Excursion-KAIPA-Urskog

Changing Worlds-THE JOHN IRVINE BAND-Psychopomp

In 256 Zeichen-TANGERINE DREAM-Raum

Scissors-GHOST OF THE MACHINE-Scissorgames

Die Before You Wake-BEN CRAVEN-Monsters from the id

The Changes-THE TANGENT- Songs From The Hard Shoulder

The Myth of the Mostrophus-RYO OKUMOTO- The Myth Of The Mostrophus

The Odd Land Of Nod-PROPORTIONS- The Odd Land Of Nod

Harridan-PORCUPINE TREE- Closure/Continuation

Heroic Materials-COSMOGRAF- Heroic Materials

The Continuum-DJAM KARET-Island In The Red Night Sky

Der Hauch Des Lebens-KLAUS SCHULZE-Deus Arrakis

Under The Microscope-ARENA-The Theory of Molecular Inheritance

Better Life-DAVE KERZNER -The Traveler

It's Love-GLASS HAMMER -At the Gate

Confusion-PYMLICO-Supermassive

Anthem to the Phoenix Star-THE SAMURAI OF PROG-Anthem To The Phoenix Star

Omega Lights-GALAHAD-The Last Great Adventurer

Il Mondo Di Fronte-ALIANTE-Destinazioni Oblique

The Machinery-INNER PROSPEKT-Grey Origin

Aurora Australis-DEREK SHERINIAN-Vortex

57th Street-ESTHESIS- Watching Worlds Collide

Sex In The Machine-JEAN MICHEL JARRE-Oxymore

Through The Stargate Peter Schwalm -STEPHAN THELEN-Fractal Guitar 3

Journey Trought The Spiral Mind part.1 -DAAL-Daedalus

Rose of Jericho -CRIPPLED BLACK PHOENIX-Banefyre

Uncrowned-EVERSHIP-The Uncrowned King: Act 2

Man_in_the_middle-COLLAGE-Over And Out

New Horizon-MANTICORE-Elements



















New Horizon-MANTICORE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44bQdWd_nhk



Elements-MANTICORE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5orumLZp8s




GOOD LISTENING