The Chase Album Review
THE CHASE is the highly anticipated 4th full length studio album from Manafest. Manafest is a rap/rock artist from Canada, at Youth Rally 2009 Manafest stole the show with a breathtaking performance which was the start of the Manafest/ALOVE UK relationship. THE CHASE is a step away from the more rap and hip hop style featured in previous albums GLORY (2006) and Citizens Activ (2008) This album features a much heavier style with gritty guitars and aggressive rhymes. From the opening track it is evident this album features the trademark Manafest rapping, with challenging lyrics spat out at an amazing rate.
The album opens with the single "No plan B" which is a Linkin Park style rap/rock track complete with some incredible vocals from Manafest proving that this guy isn't a one trick pony. The second track Fire in the Kitchen will very quickly become a highlight of seeing Manafest live with its opening vocal hook and chorus just begging to be sung along to. This track is also accompanied by an amazing video which you can see here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da8TidetTwY )
Supernatural starts with a heavy band intro and computerised vocal effects; this is contrasted by the huge rock ballad chorus which once again shows off the artist's vocal ability. The ballad Everytime You Run is a bit out of place with all the other tracks on the album, but shows another side of the artist's talents. This small detour is very quickly counteracted by the next track which is by far the heaviest on the album; Bring The Ruckus is backed by distorted guitars and a Scre-mo chorus and reinforces the rock direction this album has taken.
Avalanche is another crowd pleaser which will have crowds going wild all summer; listen carefully for some sci-fi inspired background effects. Married In Vegas is a stand out track on the album, the song tells the story of people getting married in Las Vegas and features some amazing lyrics, including use of actual wedding vows, the outro is maybe a bit too long but it doesn't take away from it being a stand out track. The synth effects used in Renegade are expertly mixed with some heavy guitar to keep the track in context with the rest of the album, and works really well! Once again Manafest's ability to write a festival friendly chorus is shown with an incredibly catching chorus and pre-chorus.
The title track to the album could easily be a single with its slow build through the first verse leading up to a chorus which wouldn't be out of place on a ‘30 Seconds to Mars' single. In my opinion this track features the most impressive rapping of the album and showcases Manafest's amazing rapping ability.
Better Cause of You is a menacing track which keeps the listener in suspense waiting for the chorus to drop and when it does its worth the wait, with a Lost Prophets-esque chorus, this track keeps up the rock feel and finishes with the menacing guitar from the start.
The album concludes with Breaking Down the Walls, this is possibly the most anthem like of all of the tracks with a big chorus backed by strings, this closes the album in a style which is different to the rest of the album but gives the album a solid finish,
Some special editions of the album feature an extra track which is a drum and bass remix of Impossible from the Glory album, the remix is by DJ Doug Ross, a good friend of ALOVE UK. This is a top quality remix and is well worth getting the special edition for.
The Chase once again proves the quality of what Manafest does as it is an album which would easily stand up next to Linkin Park or You Me at 6. Manafest continues to write and produce quality music, the album is produced by Adam Messinger (who produces Justin Bieber) and this shows the level Manafest is working at. The Chase is an album you will want to listen to over and over again, and not get tired of. Even if rock or rap are not usually the styles of music you listen to I would encourage you to give this album a try and be prepared to make it your soundtrack to the summer.
Reviewed by Simon White (ALOVE UKs Event Coordinator)