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Mantric Momentum: Trial By Fire
Mantric Momentum - Trial By Fire Album Art

Mantric Momentum: Trial By Fire

Melodic Heavy/Progressive Metal
4.0/5.0

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Frontiers Music
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 09.11.2022 | Released: 11.11.2022

Like a comic book superhero, every band has an origin story. Mantric Momentum's creation extends back better than ten years, when Norwegian songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Christer Haroy (Divided Multitude, Crossnail) co-wrote a song with notable Danish producer Jacob Hansen. However, more songs would not arrive until several years later when Mantric Momentum would drop four singles between 2017 and 2021. Encouraged by the reception of his material, Haroy wanted to create a full-length studio album with full-time singer. His choice was his cousin Terje Haroy from Pyramaze. The result of this collaboration is Trial By Fire, Mantric Momentum's debut long player.

Mantric Momentum Click For Larger Image

Mantric Momentum

Besides the Haroy fellows, the album features a host of Scandi and European guest artists including Hexed vocalist Tina Gunnarsson and guitarist, songwriter, and producer Magnus Karlsson. The essential musical substance of Mantric Momentum is melodic heavy metal with a smattering of power and progressive metal. These things are tempered by two notable elements.

One is some fine, sometimes subtle, melodic vocals from Terje Haroy. The other is an abundance of song rhythm, groove, and melody in the arrangements which give many songs a sense of AOR accessibility. You might hear this within Trial By Fire, Fighter (a personal favorite), or Carry Me wherein the vocal arrangements blend with the rock groove for a metal anthem.



Other songs of interest can be mentioned. Songs that turn more on the heavier or power side of metal include Writing On The Wall or In The Eye Of The Hurricane, both notable for their tough riffs and strong bass line. A personal favorite is New Horizon, a song with a large porltion of that AOR-like groove and also an exceptional example of the fine guitar lines across the entire album. Alternatively, Diamond is a long metal anthem driven by the triumvirate of light guitar, synths, and Terje's vocal arrangement. It proceeds to rise with some heaviness only to level off with vocal emphasis. For songs more progish in nature, listen for Course Of Fate and the bonus track (I'll Never Be) Maria Magdalena, which have certain twists within their heaviness.

All said, if you enjoy melodic progressive heavy metal with strong vocals, exceptional musicianship, creative song writing, with some well-placed twists in turns in the arrangements, you will enjoy Mantric Momentum's debut album Trial By Fire. Recommended.



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The Take Away

All said, if you enjoy melodic progressive heavy metal with strong vocals, exceptional musicianship, creative song writing, with some well-placed twists in turns in the arrangements, you will enjoy Mantric Momentum's debut album Trial By Fire. Recommended.

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