After leaving POISONBLACK in 2010, Janne Markus was ready to take on songwriting duties and start his own band, called THE MAN-EATING TREE. Accompanied by renowned musicians from the Finnish metal scene, he released a promising debut (“Vine”) in 2010 and the brilliant “Harvest” album in 2011, which still stands strong as one of my favorite albums ever. Unfortunately, for this new band, Gothic metal was in decline, so the quality of the music failed to translate into commercial success. Consequently, they lost their contract with Century Media Records, the singer left, and THE MAN-EATING TREE started withering.
However, in 2015, the band released a new album, called “In the Absence of Light.” Melodic Gothic metal made way for a heavier approach, infusing elements of melodic death metal and growling vocals. It could have been a fresh start, but things turned silent again after the release. In 2019, after I had already given up hope of hearing anything from THE MAN-EATING TREE again, a single was released, but then the pandemic took the axe to the bole, and that would surely be the end of it. After a few years, Janne Markus joined THE ABBEY, but then something unexpected happened: he left that band to revive his own!
Recordings for a new album started in 2024, this time with a completely renewed lineup. Most notable among the new additions is singer Manne Ikonen, well-known from his work with GHOST BRIGADE. The album, called “Night Verses,” is yet another new beginning for THE MAN-EATING TREE, even though there has been no great change in style this time. The band seems comfortable in its blend of gothic and melodic death metal, with Ikonen’s characteristic vocals steering distinctly things into the direction of his former band. He even convinced Markus to step out of his comfort zone and add some growls, so there is plenty of vocal variation here.
After the intro, which is also the title track, “Night Verses” kicks off with the haunting melodies of “Days under the Dark” and “Seer,” the latter with a heavy GHOST BRIGADE vibe. Both songs are strong showcases of what THE MAN-EATING TREE stand for: highly dynamic music with epic choruses and that typical Finnish melancholy. With the exception of “To the Sinking”, “Night Verses” is not an overly gloomy affair, though: the emphasis on catchy melodies and vocal lines is too strong to become overwhelmed by sadness. “All our Shadows” is a good example of this, while the album highlight “Abandoned” is a perfect display of the melancholic side of the band. This diversity is obviously quite known from GHOST BRIGADE too, so “Night Verses” could be great for you if you miss that band. On the other hand, there are plenty of the familiar characteristics of THE MAN-EATING TREE left, so fans don’t have to worry about the band losing their identity.
In conclusion, it is great that THE MAN-EATING TREE are back with yet another quality release. The band’s sound is inspired and full of energy, so hopefully, there is more to come from this new lineup. If you like your metal melodic and melancholic, but with enough heaviness to keep things dynamic, “Night Verses” might be just what you need; highly recommended!
Written by Lykle Thijssen
Tracklist
- Night Verses
- Days under the Dark
- Seer
- These Traces
- All our Shadows
- To the Sinking
- Ruins of Insanity
- Abandoned
- Reflections
Lineup
Janne Markus – Guitar, Vocals
Manne Ikonen – Vocals
Sakke Paavola – Guitar
Aksu Hanttu – Drums
Mika Junttila – Bass
Label
Noble Demon
Links
https://themaneatingtree.bandcamp.com
