Croatia’s finest Folk Metal powerhouse, MANNTRA, brings roaring hymns and swelling horns, announcing their 8th studio album 'Titans,' set for release on February 21, 2025 via Napalm Records! With seven albums already under their belts and a reputation forged on stages like the mighty Wacken Open Air and tours with legends like German Folk mainstays In Extremo, MANNTRA has proven themselves as a tour de force in the metal world. 'Titans' is another testament to their unstoppable momentum, blending ancient tradition with modern sounds to create something truly unforgettable.
Giving insight on their latest onslaught, today, MANNTRA release their first single, a tribute to YouTube phenomenon Miracle Of Sound, an explosive cover of “Skal”. This high-octane track is a resounding toast to unity, revelry, and the timeless power of music. With their signature fusion of raw metal riffs, traditional folk instrumentation, and industrial elements, MANNTRAdelivers an electrifying rendition of this modern classic, turning it into a full-fledged anthem for warriors, dreamers, and partygoers alike. Rooted in the band’s unique soundscape, “Skal” is a riot of pounding drums, razor-sharp guitars, and soulful pipes, seamlessly blending raucous energy with melodic folk charm, showcasing MANNTRA’s ability to bridge worlds with their masterful songwriting. Whether you’re a metalhead, a folk enthusiast, or simply someone who loves a good party, this track will have you raising your glass and stomping your feet.
MANNTRA on the new single “Skal”:
“’Skal’ is the first single from our upcoming album 'Titans.' We chose to cover this song by Miracle Of Sound because it captivated us from the first listen and already embodied the MANNTRA vibe. It felt like a song we could have written in a parallel reality. While we typically don’t do covers, this one perfectly aligns with the energy and themes of the album!”
Watch the Official Music Video for “Skal (Miracle Of Sound Cover)”
Upcoming Folk Metal Heroes MANNTRA Unleash Relentless Energy on 'Titans'!
Formed in 2012 around mastermind Marko Matijević Sekul, the band has proven to be extremely productive as 'Titans' is already their eighth studio album. Over the years the quintet developed their trademark sound by combining raw metal riffs and hard-hitting industrial sounds with traditional folk instruments, unleashing a relentless storm of catchy metal hymns. MANNTRA’s high-energy soundscape is skillfully built by supposed opposites: authentic folk instruments like pipes and mandolins interwoven with raspy male vocals and an uplifting industrial metal sound. With their newest masterpiece, they clearly take no prisoners as the album sets off with the title track “Titans” delivering forceful rhythms and powerful drumming. This continues on tracks like “Higher” or “Riders In The Dawn” kicking off with strong intros. Like no other, MANNTRA effortlessly manages to transport the ancient tunes into modern times by combining its folk elements with synths like on “My Sandman” or the album closer “Nav” delivering massive melodies.
But MANNTRA also stay true to their roots with "Teuta” telling the story of a legendary Illyrian queen who reigned in Croatia around 200 BC and “Unholy Water (Voda)” containing a catchy chorus and intense female folk vocals delivering a hymn-like melody with lyrics partly in Croatian. The same can be witnessed in the extremely groovy and catchy “Heart Of The Storm” while uplifting “Skal” is a song to get every folk party started. A clear highlight is the combined songs “Forgotten Pt.1” and “Forgotten Pt.2” which are true industrial metal masterpieces that seamlessly cross genres, heavily leaning towards electronic elements, while maintaining their very own soundscape.
Overall 'Titans' convinces with an enormous hit density and sets a clear mark, delivering proud hymns and in-your-face metal songs that are undeniable, proving that MANNTRA is on the very top of their game, ready to enter the next level of their promising journey!
MANNTRA are:
Marko Matijević Sekul - Vocal / Synth / Guitar / Pipes
Andrea Kert – Drums
Zoltan Lečei – Bass
Zlatko Štefančić - Guitar / Mandolina / Pipes
Dorian Pavlović - Guitar / Acoustic