1) is a German darkwave/goth metal band comprised of Martin Schindler and Tina Schindler that dissolved in 2005 but reunited in 2008.
2) is a heavy metal band started by Greg Blakely of Derbyshire, UK.
3) was a NYC disco act who issued the first 12" ever remixed by Jellybean Benitez "(Dance It) Freestyle Rhythm" , a New York radio & club hit in 1978.
4) is a synthwave producer in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Influences are NIN, Miami nights 1984, Ministry, CJ Burnett, Waveshaper, Red Marker, Caspro, Wice.
(more info on below)
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1) Is a project by Martin Schindler founded on or about 1997 which disbanded in 2005 but reunited in 2008. Both Martin Schindler and Tina Schindler are also active in electro act Black Heaven and metal outfit Sepia.
The band's name derives from Roman and Etruscan mythology, where Mantus and his wife, Mania were gods of the underworld. They were associated with the city Mantua. Mantus was identified as the "leader of souls", escorting the souls of the dead down into the underworld.
As already said, Mantus is a project by Martin Schindler. But his idea of dark romance only could have been realised by alternating singing of female and male voices. That's why he involved his sister always named as Thalia, which is certainly not her real name.
So the alternating female/male-singing is one incisive aspect of Mantus' musical appearance. Overall the style of the music ranges doom-metal to some kind of pop. The texts contain themes like love, hate, death, perpetuity or immortality but also criticism on global problems as racism, xenophobia and rape.
The reason for their minor popularity in spite of existing for 8 years and releasing 6 albums is that they never gave concerts or appeared in the charts (they never had any ambitions, too).
Discography:
* 2000: Liebe und Tod
* 2001: Abschied
* 2002: Fremde Welten
* 2003: Weg ins Paradies
* 2004: Keine Liebe EP (DVD)
* 2004: Ein Hauch von Wirklichkeit (also as a limited 2 CDs-edition)
* 2005: Zeit muss enden (2 CDs)
* 2006: Chronik (Best of: 2 CDs)
* 2009: Requiem
3) Disco act Mantus was a group formed circa 1974 in Queens NY, and was originally known as Gypsy. Originally a hard rock orientated act, by 1976 they had changed their name to Mantus and shifted to a dance orientated sound. They released their debut single "Turn Around, Boogie Down" in 1978. The follow-up, "(Dance It) Freestyle Rhythm," was a New York radio hit and their debut LP "Midnight Energy" appeared in 1979, and the single "Rock It to the Top" became a Top Ten hit on the club charts in in Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World. Their self-titled 1980 follow-up LP also generated a hit in "Boogie to the Bop,"
Echo
Mantus Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
empfangen das Echo unserer Zeit
noch suchen wir das Paradies
sind für das Finden nicht bereit
Wir sind das Böse das uns lenkt
wir sind der Schmerz der nicht versiegt
wir sind der ewig gleiche Mensch
Wir haben die Erde nie gesehen, wir haben den Himmel nicht erkannt
Wir haben die Meere überschwemmt und die Wälder abgebrannt
Sag mir nicht, sag mir nicht, dass bald alles besser wird
Wir haben die Ehrfurcht längst verloren
wir haben uns wieder mal geirrt
Wir sind die letzte Phantasie
uns kann die Reinheit nie gehören
in unserer Angst sind wir allein
uns wird das Denken blind zerstören
The lyrics of Mantus's song Echo can be interpreted as a commentary on the destructive nature of humanity and our inability to find true happiness and contentment. The first verse acknowledges that we are merely a shadow of our true selves, and that we are receiving echoes from our time that prevent us from finding paradise. The second verse speaks to the idea that we are the ones who are responsible for our own suffering and pain, and that this cycle will continue as long as we continue to hate what we do not understand or love.
The third verse is a reflection on the damage that we have done to the planet and to each other. Humans have never truly seen the Earth, nor understood the heavens above; we have merely destroyed the oceans and burned down forests. The lyrics also express skepticism about the hope that things will get better, as humanity has already lost its reverence for the natural world.
Finally, the song suggests that as a species, we are the last remnants of imagination and creativity, but we are incapable of experiencing true purity. Our fear and ignorance isolates us and clouds our judgement, leading to our destruction. The repetition of the phrase "uns" (which can be translated to "us" or "ourselves") emphasizes the idea of a collective responsibility for our actions.
Line by Line Meaning
Wir sind ein Schatten unserer Selbst
We are not truly living up to our full potential and are mere shadows of who we could be.
empfangen das Echo unserer Zeit
We are living in a world that reflects the actions and attitudes of those who have come before us.
noch suchen wir das Paradies
We are constantly searching for a better life, a utopia where all our problems are solved.
sind für das Finden nicht bereit
But we are not truly ready or willing to put in the effort required to achieve this paradise.
Wir sind das Böse das uns lenkt
We are often driven by negative emotions and desires such as greed, anger, and hate.
wir sind der Schmerz der nicht versiegt
We are the source of our own pain and suffering, and it seems never-ending.
wir sind der ewig gleiche Mensch
We are stuck in the same cycle of behavior and seem unable to break free from it.
der hasst, solang man ihn nicht liebt
And we often hate others who do not love us, instead of finding a way to love ourselves and others.
Wir haben die Erde nie gesehen, wir haben den Himmel nicht erkannt
Despite living on this planet and being a part of the universe, we have not truly appreciated or understood it.
Wir haben die Meere überschwemmt und die Wälder abgebrannt
We have caused great harm to our environment, destroying natural habitats and ecosystems without regard for the consequences.
Sag mir nicht, sag mir nicht, dass bald alles besser wird
We should not be blinded by false hope or empty promises that things will miraculously improve soon.
Wir haben die Ehrfurcht längst verloren
We have lost the sense of respect and reverence for the world and everything in it.
wir haben uns wieder mal geirrt
And yet again, we have made a mistake or failed to learn from our past experiences.
Wir sind die letzte Phantasie
We are the final hope, the last chance for redemption and change.
uns kann die Reinheit nie gehören
But we can never truly attain purity or perfection, as we are inherently flawed.
in unserer Angst sind wir allein
We often isolate ourselves in fear, unable to connect with others and form meaningful relationships.
uns wird das Denken blind zerstören
And our own thoughts and beliefs may ultimately destroy us, if we do not cultivate a more open and compassionate perspective.
Contributed by Declan A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.