J-Man Minushuman are a relatively new modern metal outfit hailing from France, and their sophomore album (as well as their first for Season of Mist) was unleashed in the form of Bloodthrone. An eclectic album that manages to blend thrash metal, groove metal, melodic death metal, and gothic metal, Bloodthrone immediately shows that Minushuman don't set out to sound like any other act on the scene. I greatly appreciate the band's unique approach to modern thrash metal, and their eclectic sound should easily distance them from the hordes of uninspired groove-thrash clones. I can't quite shake the feeling that Bloodthrone lacks in the department of truly spectacular and memorable songwriting, but it has enough positive assets to make it a recommendable acquisition. Even though there's a lot of potential that's left untouched, the entire album is of unquestionably high quality, and those seeking more adventurous thrash metal should probably investigate this one.

Despite the songwriting rarely branching out above the "slightly-above-average" category, this is objectively an impressive release. The musicianship is excellent, the production is professional, and the music itself is well-composed and consistent. Add in Minushuman's eclectic and unique sound, and you have an album that is worth checking out for fans of the genre. Those who enjoy groovy riffs, harsh vocals, and a sense of melody in their thrash metal should find plenty to love here.

Bloodthrone may not contain the best songwriting I've heard this year, but a few excellent tracks like "Forgotten Fields" and the overall professionalism save this one from mediocrity. Minushuman shows plenty of potential with this observation, but it will take just a little bit more until I'm completely sold. I'd say a recommendable 3 stars are well-deserved. Modern thrash fans should definitely check this out, but more casual fans of the genre can probably pass.

Time Signature The size of an ocean...

Genre: eclectic melodic metal

Minushuman are typically described as a groove thrash album, but I cannot say that I think that this album is a thrash metal album. There are thrash metal elements, to be sure, but there are also elements from goth metal, industrial, power metal, doom metal, melodeath metal, death-thrash and what not on this album. It truly is a very eclectic affair and hard to fit into any of the conventionally established genres.

Despite - or maybe because of - the many different genre influences, this album is very focused and consistent stylistically. You have uptempo passages, you have melodic passages, you have heavy doom-laden passages, you have groovy passages and you even have some hard rock and classic metal parts, but there is an overarching melancholic atmosphere to the album which is virtually present in all tracks. This melancholic feel is in part generated by the use of background keyboards and in part by melodic and harmonic guitar parts.

"Bloodthrone" is melodic and modern, but it sounds nothing like the by now watered-down Gothenburg sound - in fact, you could say that is constitutes a refreshing and original alternative to run-of-the-mill melodic metal.

In all its melancholic darkness and melodic sensibility, "Bloodthrone" is an example of eclecticism in metal when done right and comes as a fresh breath of air in the world of melodic metal.