Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 13!

JFH Music Review


Manafest, This Is Not the End
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Manafest
This Is Not the End



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Hip Hop / Rap Rock / Rock
Album length: 10 tracks: 32 minutes, 6 seconds
Street Date: December 13, 2019


READER RATING:   


In today's music scene, the once popular genre of rap/rock has drastically declined, as many of these artists have either stopped creating music as a whole, or have simply switched to another style. However, this is not the case for Manafest, who has consistently been churning out rap/rock records for over a decade, usually with a little dose of pop thrown in for good measure. He continues this trend with his newest endeavor, This Is Not The End, a 10-track LP which showcases what he does best, but also what he struggles with.

The rocking title track kicks things off, acting as an anthem for listeners to sing along with as Manafest declares, "This is not the end / It's a place where we begin / In every war we fight, we fall, we bleed, we rise again." The hip-hop influenced "All Time High," and the heavier "Kamikaze," keep the upbeat pace and create a strong opening to the record musically. Lyrically, it's hard to find much depth until "Wake Me Up" and "Plan For Me" come around. The former shows Manafest pleading with God to awaken him: "Living on the edge / Like this was all a dream / Come and wake me up / Can you rescue me?"

However, it's "Plan For Me" that really hits home with its lyrics, as it tells the 'conversation' of an aborted child and her parents: "If born, I woulda changed the world / If born, I'd been your baby girl / If born, you woulda seen me twirl / Brown eyes and golden curls / But guess what? I still love you / Let it go, I still love you." It's quite a touching song, despite the controversial topic, and is easily one of the best tracks he's made in a long time.

Things pick up again with the bold "Born For This," before slowing down for "Come Back Home" -- a tender, poppier tune which nicely features Thousand Foot Krutch's Trevor McNevan. "Grenades" and "Insomnia" are both decent additions, but don't quite stand out as some of the other songs on the record. The anthemic "I Made It" is a decent closing number, but it lacks the lyrical depth that we saw towards the middle of the project.

Generally speaking, Manafest has created a solid record that will be well-received by his fans, and those who still listen to this style of music. There are some shortcomings, especially when it comes to the repetitive, more boastful tracks (such as "All Time High" and "Born For This"). Despite that, This Is Not The End is still an enjoyable album, and the title track, "Plan For Me" and "Come Back Home" are gems that make it well worth a listen.

- Review date: 12/19/19, written by James Larsen of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 10 tracks: 32 minutes, 6 seconds
. Street Date: December 13, 2019
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. This Is Not the End (3:35)
  2. All Time High (2:54)
  3. Kamikaze (3:48)
  4. Wake Me Up (3:26)
  5. Plan for Me (3:19)
  6. Born for This (2:19)
  7. Come Back Home (2:58)
  8. Grenades (3:36)
  9. Insomnia (3:21)
  10. I Made It (2:50)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 


(JFH Sponsor Spot)

 

 

                 
Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Buttons, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase! Save for the holidays with code JFH20 at checkout!

Search JFH




This Tuesday, October 29, 2024
SINGLES
Pipe Bomb Hate Club - Single [The Charon Collective]

This Thursday, October 31, 2024
ALBUMS
Neon Horse Habit of Creature - EP [Velvet Blue Music]

This Friday, November 1, 2024
ALBUMS
AWZY Sinners and Saints - EP [DREAM]
Forrest Frank Child of God (Deluxe) [river house]
Future of Forestry Symphonic Christmas (Live) (independent)
Influence Music It's All About You (independent)
The Kingdom Heirs No Better Time [Sonlite]
Limoblaze Young & Chosen (Power Pack) - EP [Reach]
Paul & Hannah McClure Christmas Morning (Re-Release) [Bethel]
Planetshakers Winning Team: Songs For Church (Live) [Venture3Media]
Skillet Revolution [Atlantic]
Sam's the Hero Charlie Cox - EP [Small Step]
Jim "Soni" Sonefeld Light of Joy - EP [Vere]
Ivan Theva Waiting Here for You - EP [Descendent/Provident]
John Van Deusen Anthem Sprinter [Tooth & Nail]
Phil Wickham Hallelujah! It's Christmas! [Fair Trade]
YWAM Kona Music Missionary Anthem - EP [Integrity]

SINGLES
Ayo Shamir, YP aka Young Paul Aaron Judge - Single (independent)
Gabby Barrett O Come, O Come Emmanuel (feat. The Piano Guys) - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Brennley Brown Mary, Did You Know? - Single [Provident]
Lauren Daigle Then I Will - Single [Centricity]
Dreamers The Reason - Multi-Single [DREAM]
EJ Swavv I Hate Lucy - Single [Syntax]
Jess Ford This is My Jesus - Single (independent)
FYR FYTR So Simple - Single (independent)
Michael Monroe Pour It Out - Single [Provident]
Seph Schlueter We Sing (Joy To The World) [feat. Leanna Crawford] - Single [Provident]
Skye Peterson, Ben Shive Keep the Feast - Single [Getty]
SNT. VINCENT Confession - Single [Syntax]
Cyndi Thompson Silent Night - Single [County Line]
Thrive Worship Hark - Single [Integrity]
Tauren Wells Making Room - Single [Capitol CMG]

VINYL
Skillet Revolution Vinyl [Atlantic]

Next Friday, November 8, 2024
ALBUMS
Gabby Barrett Carols and Candlelight [Warner Music Nashville]
CXMMXNS CXMMXNS Chapter 1 - EP [Essential Worship]
New Hope Oahu There Is One - EP [DREAM]
Neal Morse & The Resonance No Hill For A Climber [InsideOut]
TAKE Time Bomb [Resuscitation Records]
Lauren Talley A Lauren Talley Christmas [Horizon]

SINGLES
Cory Asbury I Hope You Dance - Single [BEC]
Jordan Kauflin, Laura Story Approach, My Soul - Single [Getty]
Sam Bowman & GLADDEN Misfit Toys - Single [DREAM]
Wavorly Enemies - Single (independent)

VINYL
Michael W. Smith Every Christmas Vinyl [Rocketown]
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Vinyl [Frontiers]
TAKE Time Bomb Vinyl [Resuscitation Records]

DVD
Stryper To Hell with the Amps Blu-Ray [Frontiers]



For all release dates, click here!
 



Check out the new album from Taylor Holland Armstrong!



Listen to the new Single from Second Adam and the New Creations!

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images