Neomantra – Paranosis
With a crossover of many different metal genres, Neomantra delivers a heavy wall of sound. After first EP in 2021, the Australian band expanding its sound with the new EP Paranosis, and also closes the ouroboros that had begun with Henosis. Although mainly on the waters of post/doom-metal, they venture different shores with down-tuned chuggings and different vocals, setting an unsettling, apocalyptic atmosphere.
Its riff-based, mid-tempo songs are based on post/doom metal elements but you can find hints of hardcore(post-hardcore), especially on drumming. Opener Consciousness is a good example of how they can mix stomping doom chuggings with hardcore elements. I especially enjoyed the gritty vocals of Astral Prison and there are some really cool riffs, reminding bands like traditional giants like CANDLEMASS and modern apostles like CULT OF LUNA at the same time. Also, the beast of the EP, Boltzmann Brain (Thought Experiment) is a massive song with a sense of something dreadful is coming. Loved that little black metal tremolos with hammering slow drums by the way.I’m not sure about the Dualism II, an interlude of slow, dramatic guitars. I mean its effective from an atmospheric perspective, but I’m not sure if its necessary in a 20 minute long EP.
This is a pretty cool EP if you’re into extreme, doomy stuff in general. Vocals are on point, guitar sound is massive and although kept simple, drums are really effective. Its not hard to foresee that Neomantra will probably sign a good deal with a label in near future, and I’m quite excited already. I’ll watch closely, and will be among the first to spin if they’ll release a full-record.
