Welcome back metal heads to another episode of The Great Metal Debate podcast. I'm Xander and today we are going to be looking at the new album from Scottish death metalers Man Must Die titled The Pain Behind It All. This is the band's fifth studio album but it is their first album in 10 years! Their previous album Peace Was Never An Option came out all the way back in 2013.
I think that Man Must Die is one of the most criminally underrated death metal bands ever. It is a shame that this group is not that well known among the more modern death metal scene. These guys have always been talented in the way that they structure songs musically and have always had interesting lyrical concepts.
Let's dive right into this review as we explore these new songs track by track. It all begins with the 30 second intro track titled "OCD". Not much happens in this skipable intro but at the end of it, you hear someone say 'fuck it'. This leads us into our first song "Patterns In The Chaos". I have always enjoyed the djenty style of chug parts especially during the mid-point of this track.
Then we get the album title track "The Pain Behind It All" which has a very different sound with its hypnotic approach. It gives us an off in the distance feel in its group vocal choruses. It sounds somewhat uncanny compared to what we're used to which makes it that much more unique. I also really enjoy the part where bassist James Wright lays down some bass lines while playing alone with the drummer.
Another outstanding track is "In The Hour Before Your Death" followed by a fun little song titled "Clickhate". Something like that might sound cringey to certain people but drummer Tony Corio makes it fun with his standout blast beats.
"Enabler" is one of my more favorite tracks on the album. I love how the song begins with a somber piano intro. It is followed up with a haunting spoken word which is very reminiscent of a song by the band Kreator, particularly "Death Becomes My Light". After that, Man Must Die as a whole just fires on all cylinders bringing their grooviest guitar work. Credit to Alan McFarland who has been with the band since 2002 and newcomer Michael Alan who joined in 2018.
"Bring Me The Head of the King" was actually the name of a single that they put out 2 years ago and has since found its way onto this album. Its another balls against the wall, fast and aggressive song that is sure to get just about any mosh pit going. Speaking of live performances, I have never known Man Must Die to tour here in the United States. I hope they do one day. I would love to be in the crowd shouting "We Don't Need Him! Bring Me The Head of the King!"
But my most favorite song is definitely "War Is My Will" as it is just a straight up banger. I must say that Joe McGlynn's vocals have always been a great fit for this band's overall approach to the musical structure of these death metal songs. There even seems to be a very slight breakdown that sounds like something The Red Chord would've done in their early years. This song even has an ending melodic guitar hook. It's simply amazing and I can't help but continue to bathe this underrated band with as many compliments as I can.
Before the epic finally we have a very soft instrumental track called "Alone In A Crowded Room" before the chaos returns once more with a vengeance
The Pain Behind It All concludes with the song "Who Goes There?/I.F.F." I.F.F. is an acronym that stands for Identify Friend or Foe. Its yet another kick ass song from a kick ass band!
So how would I rate this new album? I enjoy every album these guys have ever made but I will say that this is easily their second best which is still a high honor. I have no real critiques about this absolutely stellar release but to keep it fair, I'm thinking about giving this record a solid 9.5 out of 10.
Be sure to show your support for Man Must Die. You can listen to their music on most streaming services including: Bandcamp, Amazon Music and Spotify.