Manes (band)

Band from Trondheim, Norway

Manes is a band from Trondheim, Norway, formed in 1993. They started out as a two piece band composed of Sargatanas and Cernunnus (or Cern). They have been signed to Candlelight Records, Hammerheart Records and the Italian experimental label Code666. The band's earlier works, up to and including Under Ein Blodraud Maane (1999), were somewhat atypical Norwegian black metal and were highly lauded by fans of the genre. However, as of Vilosophe (2003) and How the World Came to an End (2007) the band completely changed its sound to a hybrid of jazz, trip hop, electronica and metal with clean sung vocals and many progressive overtones. In spite of being highly acclaimed by critics this subsequent change of direction alienated most of their original fan base. In 2011, the band released an official statement on their web site that they were calling it quits due to health and family reasons. They resurfaced 2 years later in 2013 and following year, 2014, released their fourth album, Be All End All, as well as an LP re release of the debut Under Ein Blodraud Maane and compilation album of obscurities and rare material called Teeth, Toes and other trinkets. In 2018, Manes announced their comeback with a new album, Slow Motion Death Sequence.

Manes was started by Cernunnus in 1992 as a side project of Atrox, a band he was playing in back then. A few experimental lineups, Manes settled as a two man band, with Sargatanas doing the vocal duties and Cernunnus doing the rest of the instruments. The first demo: Maanens Natt (1993), the second Ned i Stillheten (1994) and the third: Til Kongens Grav de Døde Vandrer (1995). The debut album Under Ein Blodraud Maane was released by the Dutch label Hammerheart Records. After that album, Cernunnus took a long break from music.

Manes resurfaced in 2002, with new line up, new musical style and new appearance. Their second album, Vilosophe, was released in 2003 by the Italian label Code666, sublabel of Aural Music, to an unprepared audience. This abrupt change and unexpected behaviour have followed the band in everything they have done since. Manes played some gigs and festivals like Inferno Metal Festival in 2004, Hole in the Sky, Southern Discomfort and Quart Festival, and shared a stage with bands like Isis, Katatonia, Red Harvest and Theatre of Tragedy among others to finalize their commitment to Aural Music. Manes released the [view] EP in 2006 as an intermezzo between albums. Rune Hoemsnes left the band briefly in 2006, but finished laying drumming parts for the band next album. Tor Arne Helgesen was hired for the corresponding tour and subsequent recording sessions. In 2007, Manes released the web ep Deprooted and the album How the World Came to an End via the British label Candlelight Records. This album further explored more the musical styles of Vilosophe and saw Manes as a more creative collective collaborating with a group of guests. During the recording sessions for this album, Manes were attempting to produce and record the following album Be All End All, but the album ended up being released only in 2014. The reviews for How the World Came to an End were good, and the band gained a lot of attention, but no concerts were played in the wake of the release. In early 2018, Manes announced a new album, Slow Motion Death Sequence. Fans are eagerly awaiting another full length.