Search - Forsaken :: Manifest of Hate

Best...death metal band...ever!

Wheelchair Assassin | The Great Concavity | 03/05/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yeah, that's right. The title of this review refers to the Forsaken as the best death metal band ever. And there's a good reason for that. NOBODY I've ever heard in the genre combines heaviness, melody, technicality, and killer songwriting chops like the Forsaken. Not Nile, not Morbid Angel, not Carcass, not Suffocation, nobody. "Manifest of Hate" and its followup "Arts of Desolation" are as brutally heavy as death metal should be, but heaviness is only half the story with these guys. Heavy as they are, these albums are as melodic as anything to ever come out of Sweden, and that's really saying something. While a lot of stuff gets called "melodic death metal," it seems that what gets put into this category is often just melodic metal with harsh vocals (e.g. In Flames, Dark Tranquility, Soilwork). What's truly impressive about the Forsaken, however, is that they're one of the few bands I've heard that can take true death metal and infuse it with melody. The guitar work here is stunningly melodic, especially given the overall heaviness of the music. The guitar harmonies that characterize the Swedish metal sound are present, but at the same time they're harder, faster, and more malevolent than usual. Other than Michael Ammott's bands (namely Carcass and Arch Enemy, but I'm sure you knew that already), I can't name another band that could combine catchiness and all-out heaviness the way the Forsaken do. The can blaze along one moment, and then slow down and really drive the heaviness home the next moment. What's more, Anders Sjoholm is easily one of the best death vocalists I've ever heard. He can shift effortlessly from a deep, guttural death growl to a high-pitched scream reminiscent of Tomas Lindberg, giving the Forsaken's songs a dynamic that most death metal bands lack. The rhythm section is tight as well, with a constant, rumbling bass presence and plenty of variety in the drum department. What's most important, though, it that "Manifest of Hate" is just a blast to listen to. Heaviness, complexity, and creativity are nice, but in the end I think music has to be fun, and the Forsaken's work has an infectious energy to it that's hard to find in any genre. And really, isn't that what it's all about?"

A+ production right here.

Wheelchair Assassin | 09/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Gothenberg sound is usually described as 'Melodic Death Metal'. In that case, The Forsaken is leaning more towards the Death Metal side with a perfect touch of melody. If you like In Flames, and are looking for something a bit more extreme, look no further. This is the type music you can feel in your guts, like toping the incline before the huge drop on a roller coaster. As with the music, the production is A+, which really brings out the power. If you've ever heard the album 'Burn My Eyes' by Machine Head, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. The only thing worse than good music flawed by bad production, is bad music horribly produced.Listening to the songs on this album, every song is just as good as it's predecessor. There are no weak spots on this disc. The vocals resemble In Flames with more of a Death Metal growl at times, and the guitars remind me a little of those used on 'Slaughter of The Soul'. But enough comparing this to other bands, you simply have to hear this for yourself.Be sure not to let this one pass you by. Even after reading the rave reviews on Amazon, I was still blown away by this killer album. Nothing can prepare you for what lies ahead."

Incredible Death Metal !!!

WelcomeTheAbyss | The Flatlands | 01/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brutality,melody,technicality, The Forsaken have it all, definetely one of the best death metal bands out now !!!
Hailing from Sweden they incorporate the melodic leads from there swedish brethren (At the gates,In flames..etc etc), whats more is every band member is perfect. tight and fluid technical guitar lines/leads(Stefan Holm,Patrik Persson,and Michael Hakansson) , brutal vocals consisting of a death growl mixed with a higher pitched scream provided by Anders Sjoholm,and blasting , tight and very technical drums with just the right amount of diversity(Nicke Grabowski). I can't really pick any favorite songs, they're all so good, but the intro/manifest of hate struck me as being a little out of place, but oh well. This is not a band to be missed HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"