Get Your Music on Amazon!
Get Your Music - and everything else - on Amazon! All purchases made on Amazon through this link earn a commission for Jesusfreakhideout.com!

JFH Music Review


Manafest, Blackout - EP
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Manafest
Blackout - EP



Artist Info: Discography
Genre(s): Hip Hop / Rock
Album length: 6 tracks: 20 minutes
Street Date: July 16, 2021


READER RATING:   


Canadian rap/rock artist Chris Greenwood--better known as Manafest--has established himself as one of the elder statesmen of Christian rap-rock, with nearly two decades and 10 studio albums under his belt. After a very successful decade releasing six albums on BEC Recordings, Manafest is now six years into the fully independent phase of his career, and he certainly has never been one to rest or get too comfortable in a certain style. From his early days as a pure hip-hop artist, he transitioned to a more rock-focused sound with less rap influence. As his major label era neared the end, he began to focus on electronic elements, before again returning to his hip-hop roots as he became independent. Now 18 months removed from his tenth studio album, This Is Not the End, Manafest has dropped Blackout, a new six-song EP (well, sort of) that is one of the most enjoyable rock listens so far in 2021.

Truthfully, Blackout is a very tight three-song EP featuring three extremely strong collaboration tracks, and then instrumental versions of each song to bring the total to six tracks. The title track is a lament of substance addiction which builds on Manafest's powerful verse raps over a mid-tempo acoustic guitar into a giant-sounding anthemic chorus, sung by Nashville singer Sam Tinnesz. Canadian rockers Redlight King provide the backup for "Save You," a growling riff-heavy rock song which would be at home on a Love & Death album, as Manafest and Mark Kasprzyk defiantly warn the listener that the enemy only seeks to destroy ("I have my shield, I have my strength / I have my soul and I have my faith / I give my word that it might get violent / This is not time to be silent"). The album ends by moving to a more energetic electronic-influenced hip-hop sound with UNSECRET collaboration "Light It Up," lyrically the least poignant on the EP, but a track born ready for radio or commercial placement.

Throughout its strong variety of reflection, defiance, and booming energy, this EP consistently sounds great, with enormous guitars and stellar vocals throughout (both Manafest and his collaborators). Manafest's albums have generally featured some strong numbers amidst a handful of easy skips, but this lean and hard-hitting ten-minute EP is one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had listening to him since his best BEC days. I'm not sure the purpose of the instrumental tracks to double the EP's length--I certainly don't recommend them if you're purchasing the tracks for download, since the vocals and lyrics are a real strength--but the core of Blackout is a great listen and a sign that the ageless Manafest is in a strong late-career groove, and likely has plenty more great music left in him.

- Review date: 7/31/21, written by Evan Dickens of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Try Pop Culture Coffee!

 

. Record Label: None
. Album length: 6 tracks: 20 minutes
. Street Date: July 16, 2021
. Buy It: Apple Music
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. Blackout (feat. Sam Tinnesz) (3:30)
  2. Save You (feat. Redlight King) (3:17)
  3. Light It Up (feat. UNSECRET) (3:20)
  4. Blackout (Instrumental) (Instrumental) (3:30)
  5. Save You (Instrumental) (Instrumental) (3:17)
  6. Light It Up (Instrumental) (Instrumental) (3:20)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Try Pop Culture Coffee!

Search JFH



This Tuesday, June 3, 2025
SINGLES
Sixpence None The Richer The Needle and the Damage Done - Single [Flatiron]

This Friday, June 6, 2025
ALBUMS
CCV Hollow (Deluxe) (independent)
Ben Fuller Walk Through Fire [Provident]
Hopeful. The Wild One - EP (independent)
Christy Nockels King Who Never Sleeps; Anthems for Rest [The Fuel]

SINGLES
7eventh Time Down My Will - Single [BEC]
Bill B. & Cyrus Sonata Kevlar - Single [Syntax]
Elan Brio I'm Satisfied (ft. Henry Israel) - Single (independent)
Aaron Cole NOBODY BUT GOD - Single [Provident]
Equippers Worship Living in Freedom (Live) - Single [DREAM]
Good Weather Forecast Pray - Single [DREAM]
Ic3rd & EJ Swavv Woke Up (ft. CJ Emulous & George.Rose) - Single [Syntax]
King David tha Vessel Consistant - Single (independent)
Brandon Lake Daddy's DNA [Provident]
Myles Maestro Flood (ft. Ace Savage & Shruumi) - Single [Syntax]
Mell Omii Wave - Single [Syntax]
Kevi Morse Mr. Pilot - Single [Syntax]
River Valley Worship Time For Revival - Single [BEC]
Roy Tosh Everything's Gonna Be Alright (feat. PEABOD) - Single [RMG Amplify]
Solachi Voz All I Need - Single [Syntax]
Emilie Weiss Genesis (Studio Sessions) - Single [BEC]
Ayiesha Woods I Have Hope - Single [Backsider]

VINYL
Ironwrath Master Storyteller Vinyl [Girder]

Next Friday, June 13, 2025
ALBUMS
Coqui Death to Your Ego [DREAM]
King's Hammer To Speak In Tongues - EP [Rottweiler]
Brandon Lake King Of Hearts [Provident]
Joel Vaughn Feel It - EP [DREAM]
War of Ages Eternal (15th Anniversary Edition) [Facedown]

SINGLES
CalledOut Music Worthy of It All - Single [Integrity]
Equippers Worship Garment of Praise - Single [DREAM]
Mainstream Worship Near - Single [DREAM Worship]



For all release dates, click here!
 

Check out depositphotos for royalty free images