Manhunt They Follow. I Fly.

Let's just get one thing straight before we begin: yes, Manhunt is a hardcore band fronted by a female vocalist, and no, they don't sound like Walls of Jericho. Got that Good. That aside, we can focus on what Manhunt really is: a rather mundane and dull hardcore/metalcore outfit that is, surprisingly, able to possess your attention long enough for the EP to run through, but alas doesn't compel you to listen again. It is a little difficult to compare them to any "mainstream" hardcore bands simply because groups this average usually don't become mainstream. Suffice to say, the album is not that great. Overall, the music is a bit sludgy, not very technical (or even slightly innovative), and very under-produced. True, there are some brutal mosh bits to keep the listener engaged, but they're too fleeting to be considered one of those "unforgettable" breakdowns. The highlight of "They Follow, I Fly" would have to be, as sad as it is to say, the female vocals, which are piercing for the most part yet not overtly artsy, especially when she brings herself to sing after screaming her throat raw. "Craving the Cave In" begins this 14 minute EP. At first, I thought there were male and female "duet" vocals, giving you an idea of how pissed-off and guttural the singer, Ali, can get. Following that is "Gravity Took You Home," which displays some black metal infusion, but more vague and pretentious lyrical content, and little fluidity. Tracks 3 and 4 start off with chunky, dense guitar and a correspondingly heavy-hitting drum beat, but again, both lapse back into mediocrity soon after things get rolling. The final track, "CC16," is the least appealing of them all, lacking any creative elements whatsoever. It just seems that, on the whole, Manhunt is void of a certain "something". Sincerity, maybe. Or perhaps just a dearth of musical maturity. Bottom Line: Manhunt, along with hundreds of other hardcore bands, is just above par. They're like that kid in gym class who never made team captain yet was never picked last, either. It's not the best analogy to be sure, but I think it gets the point across. If you're really interested, check out their website (www.manhuntrock.com) for some mp3's. Otherwise, please, continue on with your life.