MÆNTIS – I Have Tasted Devil’s Blood Review

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Doomheads, Come Taste The Devil's Blood !

Get ready to explore some hot, new stuff. But before that, let’s get you some background information about MÆNTIS. Back then the two guitarists Jan Gibron and Alexander Seidel got to know each other through their graphic design studies in Hildesheim – that’s somewhere in Germany. Supplemented by Andy Krüßel on drums and bassist Björn Behrens the band was born in 2015. They played gigs in their surrounding area and finally released their first album on December the 9th, which is a huge compilation of massive riffs. I somehow stumbled upon ‘I Have Tasted Devil’s Blood’. It blew me away within the first riffs and now I guess I’m addicted. Or under a spell – whatever.

How is the sound?

The beginning of “I” already sounds cool. The drums set in. Finally, the first brain-melting riff occurs. Those gloomy rattlings of sludgy (stoner)doom have an immense power and really push forward. To me, it has the perfect mix of everything. Whereas the same special mood or feeling is constantly transmitted through the whole album it doesn’t sound monotonous. The plain tunes have an ultra-vigorous effect. Tempo-variations or riff-changes keep it interesting.

For example in the second song, “Have“, at about 4:30 all instruments are restrained. Distorted and overmodulated guitar-tunes. The drums beat seem kinda lost. Then there is this melody. It plays over and over again. Drags on like it’s never ending. Unbearable anticipation is built up. The condition will be changed, you know it for sure. So you wait. Because there will be doom again. In the end, all instruments come together and you know it was worth to wait.

This is an instrumental record without any lyrics. This fact does not lessen the quality of this hella debut and leaves room for interpretation. There are solely some insane screams in ‘Blood’.

Why is this album worth listening to?

Simplicity at its best.
Quality riff-obey. What else do you want?

In what situation you should listen to this album?

Whenever you need this magical inebriation that only doom can elicit. If you know what I mean.. you’re the right person for this record. Taste this devil’s blood. You will like it.

Something particular to note?

The artwork done by MELTING MOON is simply beautiful.
I love the way they organise and layout their website. Just take a look at their picture from the CD. Carefully selected mysticism.