When "Helix" came out, I was floored by how well Amaranthe were able to fuse metal and pop, creating the most infectious metal songs, or the most metal modern pop songs (however you want to look at it), in a long time. That record made my top ten list at the end of the year, but I couldn't have known how many more albums I would have heard, both from new and established bands, in the time since. I can safely say that while several of them are rather good, none of them match "Helix". The question is; can even Amaranthe scale that mountain again?
I'll cut right to the chase; yes they can. If you enjoyed "Helix", then "Manifest" will hit the same sweet spot. Amaranthe continues to know exactly how to blend modern pop with modern metal in a way that no one else quite does. They weave chugging guitar rhythms with the synth and electronic rhythms of modern pop, rarely letting their foot off the accelerator as the plow through songs as breakneck speed. Hooks cascade atop one another, relentlessly pounding their way into our heads. They don't waste any time, with only one track on this album even reaching four minutes long. They don't need more time than that, because these songs are aimed at burrowing into your head, and the tightness of their construction is a key element to doing that.
What truly separates Amaranthe from everyone else is the triple vocal attack. Elize Ryd is a fantastic singer (her appearance on Timo Tolkki's rip-off metal opera was the only worthwhile thing about that project), but the blending of her voice with Nils' clean vocals create gigantic harmonies that make the choruses sound larger than life. And then Henrik's harsh vocals add a contrast to keep the music from being too fluffy, but always just clean enough that everything he sings can still be heard. Between those vocals and the guitar patterns, there are hints of extreme metal in the sound, but it's engineered to appeal to everyone. It's subversive, and expertly done.
If you're heard either "Viral" or "Strong", the singles for the album, you know what Amaranthe is delivering. Breaking down the rest of the track listing is almost pointless, because every song has the same propulsive energy and sticky hooks. Sure, "Strong" adds Noora Louhimo's massive voice for even more vocal power, while "Make It Better" is a slower and heavier track, but they all fit the same mold, and deliver the same results. From start to finish, "Manifest" is an album that never takes its eye of the prize, and consistently pummels us with fantastic songwriting.
There's only so many ways to keep saying this is great music. The only real question left is to ask ourselves if Amaranthe have cleared the bar they have set for themselves, and everyone else. To that end, yes they have. "Manifest" is easily the best album I've heard fusing pop and metal like this since "Helix". I have no doubt about that. Is it better than "Helix"? That I'm not so sure I can say, but being in the ballpark is a huge win by itself. Amaranthe is leading the charge, they are the biggest band in this particular genre, and for damn good reason. They're the best at it.
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