Originally from Pittsburgh, Pa and after some time in LA many moons ago, MANTIC RITUAL is back in the saddle on the East coast with their latest album, "Heart Set Stone." Released on September 2, they are changing things up this time with a new label, M-Theory Audio. It is their first album since "Executioner," which was put out a long 13 years ago. It is also the same lineup as that brief reunion. Dan Wetmore is singing the vocals and playing the guitar with the help of Jeff Potts. Ben Mottsman is banging on the bass while following the lead of Carlos Cruz on drums.

Here we have six songs, three originals and three covers. One is MERCYFUL FATE's song, "Black Funeral". A half step lower and a little faster with a different solo is what they were feeling here. It is not a note for note rendition of the Thrash throwback, but their own interpretation.

With inspiration from the likes of SEPULTURA and METALLICA, the Thrash roots are real. Real deep.  The first song, "Life as Usual," shows and sounds similar to the beginnings of those bands. The video even looks like it was filmed in California. Maybe it was, I dont know? Check it out on YouTube in the link below. It is raw, to the point, old school.

"Crusader," follows it up. With a little bit of a search, you can find a music video of this song as well. More of a classic feel will be found here again with some nice guitar work in the middle which is definitely a highlight and worth a watch.

"Heart Set Stone," the title track, keeps the speed. A little bit longer than the other ones, the song has time to develop and morph into different things by changing up the tempo and adding some crazy guitar solos to show off their skills. It gets crazy fast again in the end, taking you all of the way out as fast as they can go.

I can also hear some punk influences in the end, which mesh well with what they have given us. All in all, a nice showing after all of these years. Rumors of more completed songs should give Pittsburgh some things to look forward to in 2023.