Idle Hands - Mana

Monday new week, time to introduce "Record Of The Week".

Then it was time for a record that has been on my shopping list for about half a year, a brave attempt was made last fall but unfortunately got the answer after a long wait, it was out of stock. But now it is finally on its way and hopes it rolls in nicely next week. I'm talking about the Portland, Oregon based five-piece Goth rockers IDLE HANDS latest release "Mana", I record that I have been played on Spotify a lot during a long time and have been starting to write a review, but you know how things can be, easily left aside for something else that's hot in mind.

IDLE HANDS was formed 2017 by the main man Gabriel Franco (vocals), after leaving his former band SPELLCASTER, IDLE HANDS plays an interesting mix of Goth Rock and Heavy Metal, It's like a lovely mix of THE MISSION, THE CURE, and IRON MAIDEN. The Gothic aesthetics have been enjoying a glorious comeback in the world of rock music and metal.

"Mana" is a very well made album, catchy tunes that get stuck right on the forehead like a piece of Gaffa tape. The album contains many excellent tunes, like the killer opening track "Nightfall" which sets the barrier for the rest of the album already after a few winks. The tune is a catchy piece about the ghouls lurking in the night during the Devils time. Gabriel Franco's vocals are just brilliant and very charming, resolute and leading throughout the record. The musicians Sebastian Silva doing a great job on the guitar together with Franco. Brandon Hill on the bass keeps a steady and well-executed bassline and works well with the drummer Colin Vranizan who plays catchy and tight. Thundering guitars open up "Cosmic Overdrive", another upbeat piece with exciting fills a little here and there that makes this tune a remembered one. Same goes with the upbeat tune "Give Me To The Night", heavy guitars and a catchy chorus. Regarding the catchy tunes, there is serval like "Blade And The Will", the suicide piece "Double Negative" or the dreamy "Dragon, Why Do You Cry", what do you dream about? I dream about Dragons! "Don’t Waste Your Time" is a downtempo tune with a nice harmony with an accelerating end. "It’ll Be Over Before You Know It" its a slow and stripped down piece that shows the emotional side of the band, beautiful guitar work. "A Single Solemn Rose" is another great tune that flows forward in a great tempo and states that you should be careful what you wish for, you never know if it will come true. The album closes with title tune "Mana", a personal piece rounds this superb debut. Excellent compositions that feel very natural and partly really epic at times and if I would have own the psychical album when the year was summarized this would be the best debut of 2019. The future looks really bright for this band and I'm really looking forward to the next release.

Sum: "Mana" is a really exciting and impressive debut.

Line-up

Gabriel Franco – Vocals/Guitar

Sebastian Silva – Guitar

Brandon Hill – Bass

Colin Vranizan – Drums

Today's tune "A Single Solemn Rose" is taken from "Mana", enjoy!


More info @

Official Idle Hands Bandcamp

Listen to ”Idle Hands - A Single Solemn Rose" on Spotify!

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