"A new album - a new era" is said on the official website of Manticora, whose fourth album '8 Deadly Sins' features the keyboardist Finn Zierler (Beyond Twilight). Zierler's contribution to this new Manticora album is clearly audible, since his atmospheric sounds give the recordings distinctive nature. Another change in the band is that Martin Arendal is no longer a permanent member of the band. However, he's an "external" musician, whose services are still used (afterall, he handled the leads on this album).

The music on 8 Deadly Sins is rather good. The songs really impress even the "experienced" listener, and there are lots of small intriguing details in their compositions. Although Manticora is mainly a metal band, they have taken influences from progressive rock bands (there's a bit of Shadow Gallery here and Royal Hunt there etc.)

8 Deadly Sins was recorded and mixed at Jailhouse Studio with Tommy Hansen. The sounds are rather good, but there's still some room for improvement. Especially, the occasional background distortion is unfortunate. Nonetheless, Manticora's latest effort is definitely a worthy option for listeners of melodic metal (not to mention metal as a whole).

There's a sample of "Help Me Like No One Can" on the official Manticora website for you to listen.

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- MAGE (March 13th, 2005)

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LINE-UP:
Larsen, Lars F.: Vocals Larsen, Kristian: Guitars Volf, Mads: Drums Gram, Kasper: Bass with Arendal, Martin: Lead Guitar Zierler, Finn: Keyboards
Producer:	Hansen, Tommy & Manticora
Mixing by:	Hansen, Tommy
Mastering by:	Hansen, Tommy

	TRACKLIST:
	01. Present. If? (Intro) 02. 1934. Ring of the Absurd 03. 1944. Playing God 04. 1946. Melancholic 05. 1963. Creator of Failure 06. 1964. It Feels Like the End 07. 1969. Enigma 08. 1981. Fall from Grace 09. 2004. Help Me Like No One Can 10. Present. If, Then (Outro) Length: 54:57