Mantar Unleashes 'Rex Perverso' Video / Single

“Rex Perverso” is the scathing new single from MANTAR‘s forthcoming new full-length, Post Apocalyptic Depression, set for release on February 14th through Metal Blade Records.

Where 2022's Pain Is Forever And This Is The End saw the German duo bring a sonic richness to their madly heavy blackened death-punk grooves, assisting the record to its position at #2 on Germany’s Official Top 10 album chart, this year’s Post Apocalyptic Depression smashes the palette and punches a hole in the canvas. “We wanted to do everything different from the last album,” affirms guitarist/vocalist Hanno Klänhardt. “The last album was very produced. A huge sounding record with clean production. Display of power. That was what we wanted and felt at that time. Now we are trying to destroy what we’ve built up with the last album. There is a certain beauty in disappointing people’s expectations.”

The ethos is clear from the first two words Hanno uses to describe the recording process: “Quick and dirty. We didn’t even bring our own gear to the studio, and just used the equipment that we would find there. There was zero planning involved in the making of this album. We wanted to keep it as primitive as possible. We were bolder this time and literally cut any shit off the songs that we didn’t think was necessary. I think you can hear that and playing these new songs is more fun. I feel very connected with my punk roots on this album. Very punk rock production and next to our first album definitely the most raw sounding one.”

That snarling attitude spits out of the speakers on beautifully titled smash-and-grab volleys like “Church Of Suck,” “Rex Perverso,” and “Axe Death Scenario,” written in far closer collaboration than is the norm for a two-man band living on different continents (Hanno in America, Erinc in Germany). This, and the super-focused speed of the recording, seemed to act as an emollient corrective after the highly stressful process of making Pain Is Forever… two years ago. “It was the worst time and experience we have had as a band and as friends so far,” recalls Hanno. “The band almost broke up during the making of the last album. So, this album was some sort of spiritual healing. As a band and as friends. Without any serious plans, we wrote twenty songs in just a couple of days. Some good, some awesome. Making this record saved our asses, the band, and maybe even more.”

Of today’s single, “Rex Perverso,” Hanno further elaborates, “The title roughly translates to ‘king of the perverts,’ a title apparently worn with pride worldwide. This song is all about groove which has always been a main priority and one of the strongest weapons of the band. It’s catchy and on point. The song triggers simple and primitive instincts. It’s over before you realize you’ve felt it.”

MANTAR will join Kvelertak for a short run of live shows this February with more dates to be announced in the weeks to come.

MANTAR Live w/ Kvelertak, Urne:
2/15/2025 Astra Kulturhaus – Berlin, DE*
2/16/2025 Große Freiheit – Hamburg, DE *
2/18/2025 Patronaat – Haarlem, NL
2/19/2025 Bastard Club – Osnabrück, DE #
2/25/2025 Cabaret Sauvage – Paris, FR
2/27/2025 Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE *
2/28/2025 Theaterfabrik – Munich, DE*
3/21/2025 Musikzentrum – Hannover, DE#
3/22/2025 Braincrusher Festival – Hirschaid, DE #
*co-headlining show
# MANTAR only

Formed in 2013, MANTAR has been recognized as one of the hardest working among the German extreme metal underground. MANTAR manages to sound heavier than most five piece bands you may know, in spite of the fact that no bass guitar is used on this record. Just drums and guitar set for destruction. Forget about rock 'n' roll. This will hurt. Flogging beats and blackened melodies meet feedback orgies and doom mayhem. Early Melvins, Motörhead, Darkthrone. You name it. Don't call it sludge though...

MANTAR:
Hanno Klänhardt – guitars, vocals
Erinc Sakarya – drums