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Opiate for the Masses - Manifesto Br Brian Campbell  |
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A manifesto is described as a public declaration of intentions, opinions, objectives, or motives, as one issued by a government, sovereign, or organization. Opiate for the Masses Manifesto is slightly more involved than that, but it is one we should all heed.
Opiate for the Masses is more than just something Karl Marx said once about religion. As a matter of fact, they just happen to be one of the better metal bands on the circuit today, and if you’re sitting there asking why, then you obviously haven’t taken a listen to their latest studio effort, Manifesto.
Believe it or not, OFTM have garnered little mainstream notoriety for their ferocious and innovative take on industrial gothic rock/metal, and it is surprising these guys have released four records before this one. Chalk that up to practice makes perfect, as Manifesto is almost like the icing on the proverbial cake so to speak. It is the best record they have released yet, and it could help them break that ever-important mainstream barrier.
The hooks, the raspy vocals, the dominant drumming, everything melds perfectly together to create Manifesto, but it doesn’t stop there. OFTM can craft a brilliant hook, almost emulating something of a Ministry or Life of Agony. The band can also reach both ends of the spectrum, from single Burn You Down to a song like The Habit. Burn You Down employs smoky, powerful vocals and twirling, stout guitars, while the Habit houses soft, rounded vocals, a central hook and clean guitars. Wandering Star shines near the end of the effort, and I’m not sure the hooks and the guitars get any most sincere on Manifesto.
Manifesto completely thumps and grinds from bell to bell and almost like a black hole in space, it will suck you in immediately. This is a fantastic album for any fan of rock/industrial/goth/alternative or metal, and yes, before you ask, this record is just that versatile. Its sound is so fresh, welcoming and inviting that it’s a wonder it hasn’t picked up at modern rock radio. Maybe it’s because they are too busy playing far less interesting bands, but that’s just one persons opinion. This record surprised me, and it should surprise you too.
Grade: A
Listen to: 21st Century Time Bomb, Wandering Star
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