Manigance - Signe de Vie
NTS
Melodic Heavy / Prog Metal
10 songs (49'50)
Release year: 2003
Manigance
Reviewed by Chris
Album of the month

This ain't no new album for the French Melodic Power/Prog band, but a remaster of their first album, originally released in April 1997. So 6 years later they re-release a remastered edition (which I believe was initially planned as a Bonus CD for their second album, but never made it to the shelves that way). If you've read my review of the first album, you'll see that I was quite amazed by the performance of this French band. This first album is no exception, it simply confirms me that these guys rock !

I must say that I was anticipating a less interesting album than Ange ou Démon, which was released last year and literally took me by surprise, but I'm the first to see that I was wrong in thinking that these older songs wouldn't be up to the level of the band's latest album. Manigance songs are in French and their lyrics are not only clever but also often poetic. Songs are fast, melodic and with a tad of progressiveness reminding me the best of the genre, bands like Dream Theater or Vanden Plas. Vocals are very good (though they are a tad better on Ange ou Démon, normal since its newer). But the real magical power of this band is most definitely the incredible riffs and solos that the songs display and that incredible song-writing quality... The keys are also very present and marry themselves perfectly to the sound of the guitars. Guitars truly set the mood for the songs. Don't get me wrong, there isn't one thing about Manigance that isn't simply top notch. Songs have panache and make me want to sing along and air guitar like crazy... not to mention the little side effect they have on my speeding while I'm listening to Manigance in my car. The 6 songs of the original release are all killer songs, no boring moments whatsoever, with this always incredible progressive song-writing performed by a highly talented line-up. I didn't had the chance to listen to the original version, so I cannot really tell you if the remastering did improve the songs, all I can tell you is that the production is really good and sounds almost as good as their new album.

On the "bonus" side, the original first album contained only 6 songs (more like a EP). So to round things up a little, Manigance added an acoustic version of the song L'utime seconde and 2 covers of one of my favorite Hard-Rock album, Triumph's Surveillance. The songs are All The King's Horses (intro type song) and the fabulous Carry On The Flame. The covers are executed perfectly and are very near their original versions. Maybe just a little bit too much, I mean that I wouldn't have mind a Power Metal, more crunchy version of this song. The acoustic song isn't to my taste but then again those knowing me are aware that I've never been a fan of acoustic songs :). The album ends up on a song called Believer which is deflagration of Progressive Power Metal, fast paced song, highly melodic song. The only problem is maybe the singer's accent, since I hardly understand the English lyrics. It ends up with a long solo, first acoustic then lightning speed and heavenly melodic on electric guitar... the perfect way to say good-bye and a perfect appetizer to wait until the release of the next album, which I hope won't take 3 or 5 years to see the light of day. But if it's as good as those 2 fantastic albums that are Signe De Vie and Ange ou Démon, then maybe it's worth the wait :), because if there is one thing on which Manigance doesn't seem to compromise, it's quality !!!

Amazing songs, from an amazing band. I'm really under the spell of Manigance, and that from the very first spin of Ange Ou Démon, and I was as happy as a kid on his birthday when I first put Signe De Vie in my player. For all fans of Melodic Metal. If you don't mind French lyrics (I personally love them !) : then don't miss this album ! Two big thumbs up !

Killing Songs :
Sans Fard, Signe De Vie, Ligne Blanche, Rebelle, Aube Nouvelle, Rouge Comme La Peau & Believer
Chris quoted 93 / 100
Other albums by Manigance that we have reviewed:
Manigance - L'Ombre et la Lumière reviewed by Chris and quoted 94 / 100
Manigance - D'Un Autre Sang reviewed by Chris and quoted 94 / 100
Manigance - Ange Ou Démon reviewed by Chris and quoted 97 / 100
0 readers voted
Average:
 0
You did not vote yet.
Vote now

There are no replies yet to this review
Be the first one to post a reply!