Review: Manafest- Stones
When Manafest released Fighter in 2012, it put him on another level. The rock-infused record had some of his strongest material yet and, while every one of his five previous records featured at least one rock track- an album loaded with all rock-inspired music was a first and it was one that fans still hold dear today.
Fast forward five years and three records and Manafest is back with Stones– his latest record and it follows in the footsteps of Fighter with mainly all rock-based music.
The album kicks off with the title track, which is already one of the strongest songs Manafest has released yet. It has the catchy, melodic chorus and the signature Manafest rock sound. This is followed up with the equally powerful “House of Cards” and is an adrenaline-pumper before destroying you with “Firestarter.” This track is by-far the standout track of the album; it’s catchy, it’s addictive, it rocks and it might be one of the best songs Manafest has written yet.
“When the Truth Comes Out” is a slow rocker that hits close to home for a lot of people. This is Manafest’s in-your face song of the album. He makes you think and it’s a time for us all to reflect on our lives and actions before picking things back up with “Find a Way to Fight,” which is a pace-building tune that starts off slow and picks up steam on the chorus. It’s a good song to crank up when you’re on the highway, windows down, speeding down the open road. This one’s right up there with “Firestarter” for top songs of the record.
From there, things get really interesting. The style changes drastically from rock to hip hop- the rock influence is still strong and prevalent but the rest of the album is set to make you get your dance on.
Some tracks have a strong Tobymac vibe to them while some have the classic Manafest hip hop/electronic rock anthem style that will find it’s way into your bones and move you like you’ve never been moved.
In the end, this is one of Manafest’s best albums in years. It doesn’t surpass Fighter by any means but it’s very close. It’s a more memorable offering than 2014’s The Moment and just a notch more impressive than Reborn. However, each album Manafest releases has it’s own identity and are almost impossible to compare.
This is a step in the right direction and an album that will go down as one of Manafest’s best and most powerful of his career.
Rating: 9/10
-Reggie Edwards