Norway’s celebrated Manes has not only inked a deal with Italy’s esteemed Avantgarde Music, but they have announced that their highly anticipated upcoming album, To Burn Is to Shine, will be unveiled next year. To Burn Is to Shine will be the first full-length effort from the band since 2018’s impossibly excellent Slow Motion Death Sequence.
In the meantime, Manes premiered the two-song scorcher Young Skeleton in 2020 via Aftermath Music. Also in partnership with Aftermath, this June, Manes dropped two other miraculous titles: EP Pathei Mathos and Slow Motion Death Sequence Remixed.
Founded in 1992 in Trondheim, Manes began as a pioneering black metal entity of unsurpassed brilliance and, with the premiere of 2003’s Vilosophe, was reborn as an equally ingenious experimental group, melding various musical styles.
The visionary Tor-Helge “Cernunnus” Skei remains Manes’ driving force. Together with Skei, the additional divinities Torstein Parelius, Eivind Fjøseide, and Rune Hoemsnes constitute Manes’ core. Furthermore, the outstanding vocalist Asgeir Hatlen fortunately remains with the outfit.
Manes boasts several mind-blowingly gifted associates as well: Anna Murphy, Marita Hellem, Ana Carolina Skaret, Tom Engelsøy, Rune Folgerø, and Tor Arne Helgesen. The identities of the guests who will appear on To Burn Is to Shine have yet to be revealed, however. Hence, we eagerly await more information.
The 30-year-old label of Monumentum’s Roberto Mammarella, Avantgarde Music will surely do a fantastic job spreading Manes’ lethal art far and wide. Avantgarde Music’s recent statement reads thus:
“We are beyond thrilled to welcome the legendary Norwegian band Manes to our label! Known for their genre-defying sound and groundbreaking albums, Manes have been a force in the metal and avant-garde scenes for years.
Their upcoming album, ‘To Burn Is to Shine’, is set to be released in 2025 (exact date TBA), and it promises to be another bold chapter in their sonic evolution. Prepare for an unparalleled musical journey that will ignite your senses!
Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive previews, and release details. This is just the beginning!”
Shining’s Sir Niklas Kvarforth, a man with infallible taste and judgement, has referred to Manes as the greatest black metal band and extols their second and present incarnation with the same enthusiasm. For about a quarter of a century, this deity has listened to Manes every single day, except when prevented by circumstances beyond his control. Heed Kvarforth’s wisdom, and be sure to follow Avantgarde Music here for Manes-related updates!
My prediction is that To Burn Is to Shine will be, in addition to releases by The Sinister Initiative, the best record of 2025, so check back with us as well for proof that my seer-like abilities always hold up.
