All things great have their humble beginnings.
This is just another proof.
I might just as well be frank and tell you that this compilation of Mantas demo
from the first half of the eighties sounds horrendous and no one, and I mean no
one, could have guessed what greatness would lie ahead of the young Chuck
Schuldiner and this band which would eventually become Death.
Chuck's voice is, how shall I put it in a respectful manner, not quite as mature
as it later became. The Venom inspiration is obvious and I think it fair to say
that there are only hints of things come. Evil Dead is one example, the solo
piece of the 1984 rehearsal version of Legion of Doom another.
For me personally, it's striking how a few of these songs have the exact same
feeling and sound as some of the stuff me and the boys did in my mate John's
basement when we were 19. Really poor sound quality, Claus's simplistic drumming,
John doing his best on the guitar, me bellowing and grunting with no vocal
training whatsoever and trying to follow the guitar on the bass. Good times,
good times.
This release is mostly for dedicated fans of Chuck and Death. It has little
artistic value in this day and age, but the sentimental and collector value will
be high to some of us. Much respect goes to Relapse for putting out this rare
insight in the beginnings of what was to become one of the greatest metal bands
of all time.
