Manntra
Manntra in 2018
Manntra in 2018
Background information
OriginUmag, Croatia
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels
Members
  • Marko Matijević Sekul
  • Zoltan Lečei
  • Andrea Kert
  • Dorian 'Dodo' Pavlović
  • Barren King
Websitemanntra.hr

Manntra is a Croatian rock band from Umag, formed in 2011.[1] After the disbandment of the industrial metal band Omega Lithium, two of its members, Marko Matijević Sekul and Zoltan Lečei, went on to form Manntra.,[2] immediately calling Andrea Kert as a drummer.

Manntra's musical style is characterized by a fusion of traditional Balkan folk music with heavy metal, incorporating elements of electronic music as well. The band often employs traditional instruments such as sopele, the tamburica and diple, alongside electric guitars, drums, and keyboards. Their music is notable for its dynamic rhythms, driving guitar riffs, and powerful vocals, often delivered in both Croatian and English. The band's lyrics frequently deal with themes of spirituality, mythology, and personal struggle, which are often drawn from Croatian folklore and history. Overall, Manntra's sound is a unique blend of different styles, creating a distinct and compelling musical identity.[3]

The band gained popularity in Russia, Germany and Austria.[4]

History

Demos and early works (2011–2018)

The band's debut, Horizont, was released on 29 November 2012. It includes the songs "Kiša" and "Horizont" which were previously released as singles.[5] The album was recorded in 2012 in Croatia and Slovenia and was entirely produced by the band's lead vocalist.[5]

Between 2015 and 2018, Manntra continued to gain momentum with the release of two successful albums, Venera and Meridian. Venera, released in 2015, showcased the band's evolving sound, incorporating less electronic elements and more raw folk instruments. It featured a range of powerful tracks, including "Bijeli Prah", "Vila", and "Put". Its unique fusion of traditional Balkan folk music and hard rock garnered critical acclaim and helped to solidify Manntra's reputation as a rising force in the Croatian music scene.[6][7]

In 2017, Manntra released Meridian, which built on the success of Venera while pushing the band's sound in new directions. The album featured a more ambitious and experimental approach which aimed closer to home, showcasing Balkan's soundscape, but hitting outside of the home country.[8] The album's standout tracks include "Ne Laži", "Lanterne", and "Kornati". Meridian achieved widespread critical acclaim outside of Croatia.[8][9]

Oyka!, Dora 2019, and Monster Mind Consuming (2019–2021)

Manntra continued to push boundaries, deciding to pivot their focus outside of Croatia with the new Oyka! album Manntra continued with their unique blend of traditional Balkan folk music and heavy metal, but this time exploring it in English language. Manntra signed with Menart record label, who also released their previous album "Meridian" in 2017. This deal led to further contracts in Germany and performances at major festivals. Their success opened doors to sign with NoCut Entertainment (SPV) and Schubert Music Agency.[10][11]

On 17 January 2019, the band was announced as one of the 16 participants in Dora 2019, the national contest in Croatia to select the country's Eurovision Song Contest 2019 entry, with the song "In the Shadows",[12] where they ended surprisingly well, landing in a fourth spot.[10]

Released in 2021, Monster Mind Consuming showcased a heavier and more complex sound for Manntra. The album was presented as an conceptual album about war and personal struggle, with tracks such as "Heathens", "Ori Ori", and "Monster Mind Consuming".[13]

Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Manntra remained active during this period, collaborating with other artists and experimenting with new material. This period was also marked by the return of the original bass player Zoltan.

Kreatura (2022) and Endlich! Live in Hamburg

In 2022, Manntra released Kreatura, a third release on English language, solidifying the fact that their interests lie beyond the Croatian borders, on an international scale. Released by No Cut Entertainment, it was followed by extensive touring and festival season, resulting with live release of Endlich! Live in Hamburg, a live album and video release of Manntra's show in Hamburg.

Kreatura expanded on Manntra's interest in regional folklore and mythical stories and returned slightly to metal and industrial sound.[3]

Just before their solo tour through Germany,[14] the band got another addition in the form of the masked mystery guitarist/multi-instrumentalist they call the Barren King[15]

War of the Heathens (2023)

Manntra at Wave-Gotik-Treffen 2023

In the summer of 2023, during the year of extensive touring, Manntra released War of the Heathens via No Cut Entertainment. It entered the top 100 bestselling albums on the German charts and reached number 43 after the release, thus becoming the first Croatian band to enter the German Billboard.[16] The album will be promoted on the upcoming 2024 War of the Heathens Tour.[17][18][19]

Band members

Current members

  • Marko Matijević Sekul – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2011–present)
  • Zoltan Lečei – bass guitar (2011–2016, 2021–present)
  • Andrea Kert – drums (2011–present)
  • Dorian 'Dodo' Pavlović – guitar (2022–present)
  • Barren King – guitar, pipes, keyboards (2022–present)

Former members

  • Danijel Šćuric – bass guitar (2016)
  • Filip Majdak – guitar (2016–2018)
  • Boris Kolarić – guitar, bagpipes, mandolin (2016–2021)
  • Maja Kolarić – bass guitar (2016–2021)
  • Marko "Pure" Purišić – guitar (2018–2022)

Discography

  • Horizont (2012)
  • Venera (2015)
  • Meridian (2017)
  • Oyka! (2019)
  • Monster Mind Consuming (2021)
  • Kreatura (2022)
  • Endlich! Live in Hamburg (2022)
  • War of the Heathens (2023)

References

  1. ↑ "Manntra - surov, hladan i energičan balkanski rock bend". muzika.hr (in Croatian). 4 April 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  2. ↑ "Manntra – novi rock bend članova Omega Lithiuma" [Manntra - new rock band of the Omega Lithium members]. muzika.hr (in Croatian). 27 February 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Marko Matijević Sekul (Manntra): "Na novom albumu išli smo više u metal i industrial"". Glazba.hr (in Croatian). 22 August 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  4. ↑ "'Rusi nas dobro razumiju, a Nijemci vole Mediteran'" ["Russians understand us well and Germans love Mediterranean"]. 24 Sata - Cafe TV (in Croatian). 23 March 2018. p. 4. Retrieved 21 January 2019.
  5. 1 2 "Manntra – Horizont Novi Album". Spona (in Croatian). 29 November 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  6. ↑ Koić, Bruno (30 March 2015). "Recenzija: Manntra - Venera". Mixeta (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  7. ↑ "MANNTRA - Venera". Perun.hr (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  8. 1 2 "Manntra - Meridian | Review (2017) (Review / Bewertung) - Sonic Seducer". sonic-seducer.de (in German). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  9. ↑ Csencsics, Daniel. "MANNTRA - Meridian | Review bei Stormbringer". Stormbringer (in German). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  10. 1 2 "SEKUL: 'Kao i Thompson, i mi se naslanjamo na hrvatske kraljeve'". NACIONAL.HR (in Croatian). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "MANNTRA". NoCut Entertainment (in German). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  12. ↑ "Croatia: Dora 2019 Participants Revealed". eurovoix. 17 January 2019. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  13. ↑ L, Kay (29 March 2021). "Manntra - Monster Mind Consuming". Time For Metal - Das Metal Magazin & Metal Podcast (in German). Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  14. ↑ Vorndran, Daniela (2 May 2022). "Preview MANNTRA - Kreatura Tour 2022". www.reflectionsofdarkness.com. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  15. ↑ "Manntra - Kreatura live". Metalheads Magazine | Obscuro.eu. 1 December 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  16. ↑ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts - Offizielle Deutsche Charts". www.offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  17. ↑ "MANNTRA – "War of The Heathens" – Ziehen die Kroaten mit Ihrer Fangemeinde in die Schlacht? – Albumreview › rockmagazine.net" (in German). 18 September 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  18. ↑ W, Roger. "MANNTRA – War Of The Heathens". metalfactory.ch (in German). Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  19. ↑ "Manntra "War Of The Heathens" (Review / Bewertung) - Sonic Seducer". sonic-seducer.de (in German). Retrieved 30 October 2023.
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