Description

Black Manta is one of those many bands from the Doom Capital (the Maryland/DC area) that never received the attention that they should have deserved. If you lived their in the late 90s then you could have been able to see them on a weekly basis as the constantly played live with bands like Shine/Spirit Caravan, Place of Skulls, Iron Man, Death Row/Pentagram, Zebra and Internal Void. Unfortunately, while all those received all the notoriety, Black Manta were somewhat passed by all the labels and attention. Part of this was due to the issue of a revolving door at the drummer position. Nevertheless, their first two demos are some of the best crushing stoner/doom rock (or what they called bomb rock) that I’ve ever heard. While the DC doom sound was heading more towards a more melodic sound or basic stoner rock, Black Manta were cranking out monolithic jams with little regard to whatever trends were going on at the time. For a band that lasted for almost nine years, their recording output is rather minimal. They were only able to put out a few demos and a couple of compilation appearances. Finally in 2004 a record label wisely picked up this band and put out their first album, Fuck them All but Six, with the legendary Joe Hasselvander of Pentagram and Raven behind the drum kit. But sadly, the band broke up not too long after the record came out and this EP fell between the cracks. The best way to explain the tone of this album is best explained by calling is early Blue Cheer on a gratuitous amount of anabolic steroids, mixed along with some early Black Sabbath, but with a modern twist. One way to explain their sound is much akin to Earthride, but with their music but more up-tempo. Like their previous recordings, the guitar and bass take forefront, creating an absolute massive wall of doom that smashes you in the face like a ton of bricks. From the first notes of the opener Days of Yore, you know you are in a hell of ride. Unlike some doom metal bands, Blank Manta has never been afraid to write catchy hooks with their vocal parts. The gravely voice of vocalist Skull goes along right with the music, spewing out slightly esoteric rhymes of doom like A circle is a square, or just an eye instead/Place seven crowns upon seven heads/Tomorrow maybe never, but yesterday is forever. Cool stuff. This EP is absolutely top-notch with no weak spots. The only drawback to this album is that I wish it could have been a full length album and there wasnt more new material. Three of the songs, Entropy, Apocalyptic Visions and Space Ape were on their previous demos. But honestly, that is only me nit-picking because most people out there have never heard the demos. Give yourself a treat and hunt down this album, along with the rest of their back catalogue as well. Its well worth it.

Track listing:
1. Sargtrager
2. Days of Yore
3. Fuck Them All but Six
4. Entropy
5. Space Ace
6. Apocalyptic Visions
7. Beerdigung