I start thinking that in Scandinavia you find more bands than trees. This time I have to review the Finnish group MANITOU. In spite of what you could think hearing the band name you won’t find any western metal on Deadlock but an appetizing mix of prog and power metal. Anyone can clearly recognize influences from the biggest bands of the previous mentioned styles. You hear Annihilator in the track Psycoracer, while the opener And The Silence Bites could also have been written by Dio himself. On the other hand Waste, Damnation passes as an Iron Maiden cover. Black Burning Flame closes the circle with a low bow in front of Skid Row. The remaining tracks can be put in between these marks.
What strikes is the clear and powerful sound of the CD. Also the singer’s voice knows how to please. Markku Philaja doesn’t start for the eunuch – competition, but sings melodically and powerfully. The melodies are catchy an easy, and in spite of progressive elements the solo are kept within an acceptable level.
So MANITOU will not win a price for originality, and I personally dislike a bit this progressive sound. But who doesn’t care about this will find with Deadlock a very pleasing album.