Croatia’s Folk Metal Titans MANNTRA Release Haunting New Single “Unholy Water”
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Loading... - Luna Becerra
- 27 Feb 2025
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Croatian folk metal warriors MANNTRA have unleashed their haunting new single, “Unholy Water (Voda),” a dark and powerful fusion of Balkan mysticism, rebellion, and unholy rituals. This track is taken from their eagerly awaited eighth studio album, Titans, set to be released on March 14, 2025, via Napalm Records.
“Unholy Water (Voda)” showcases MANNTRA’s signature blend of Balkan influences and high-energy metal. The song draws listeners in with an intense, mystic atmosphere while maintaining a strong, infectious beat, characterized by powerful metallic rhythms and traditional folk melodies. This unique combination creates an engaging vibe, making it a standout track for fans of folk metal infused with darkness and ancient imagery.
By amplifying the rich heritage of ancient Balkan folklore with ferocious intensity, MANNTRA has forged a distinct legacy across seven powerful albums and electrifying performances at renowned festivals like Wacken Open Air. From commanding headline slots to sharing stages with legends like In Extremo, the band has solidified its status as a formidable force in the global metal scene.
MANNTRA is poised to remind the world of their dominance in folk metal with the upcoming release of Titans. The band describes “Unholy Water” as a song where “your life is at stake.” They pose a thought-provoking question: “Will you embrace the darkness of the unholy water, or will you bravely forge ahead as an uncorrupted warrior?”
Formed in 2012 around mastermind Marko Matijević Sekul, MANNTRA has proven to be extremely productive, with Titans marking their eighth studio album. Over the years, the quintet has developed a trademark sound that combines raw metal riffs and hard-hitting industrial sounds with traditional folk instruments, unleashing a relentless storm of catchy metal hymns. Their high-energy soundscape skillfully intertwines authentic folk instruments like pipes and mandolins with raspy male vocals and an uplifting industrial metal sound.
The album kicks off with the title track “Titans,” delivering forceful rhythms and powerful drumming, followed by tracks like “Higher” and “Riders In The Dawn,” which feature strong intros. MANNTRA effortlessly transports ancient tunes into modern times, blending folk elements with synths in songs like “My Sandman” and the album closer “Nav,” both delivering massive melodies.
Staying true to their roots, MANNTRA tells the story of a legendary Illyrian queen in “Teuta,” while “Unholy Water (Voda)” features a catchy chorus and intense female folk vocals, creating a hymn-like melody with lyrics partly in Croatian. The groovy and catchy “Heart Of The Storm” and the uplifting “Skal” are sure to get any folk party started.
A clear highlight of the album is the combined tracks “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 unique soundscape.
Overall, Titans convinces with an impressive hit density, delivering proud anthems and in-your-face metal songs that prove MANNTRA is at the top of their game, ready to embark on the next level of their promising journey. With “Unholy Water (Voda)” leading the charge, fans can expect an exhilarating experience when the album drops in 2025.
