Mandy Manala – Something Wicked

Mandy Manala
Something Wicked
Label: Argonauta Records
Out: 29^th May 2026
Playing time: 48:32

Just one year after the Finnish rock band Mandy Manala’s self-titled debut album, their follow-up, ‘Something Wicked’, is now complete – with the same line-up but on a different label.

With this new chapter, the Finnish dark heavy rock outfit push their sound further into heavier, darker and more atmospheric territories, refining their identity while maintaining a powerful melodic core.

Once again, the press release is rather vague when it comes to further details. It merely suggests that the band will appeal to fans of Ghost, Lucifer, Chelsea Wolfe and Fleetwood Mac. The sound apparently strikes a “unique balance between heaviness and melody”. So, let’s have a listen.

‘Bloodred Chapel Of Sin’ kicks off with some weird-sounding guitar riffs, followed by a powerful bassline. But soon the distorted guitars are roaring. Christa Nedergård’s characteristically powerful vocals fill the air. The guitars sound heavily distorted during the solo too. ‘Nocturnal Bites’ is also riff-driven. Drummer Jonas Snickars sets the pace with his drive. On ‘Bridges’, the guitar distortion is also in full swing. Despite all this, it remains melodic. The song is a little calmer despite the heavy rhythmic riffs. This gives it a slightly bluesy feel. But Mandy Manala can do things differently too. ‘Shoebox’ is characterised by acoustic guitars and Christa’s calm, clear vocals. Even when electric guitars join in later, we can enjoy a contemplative ballad. ‘Psalm 77:7’ is actually a lament but later transforms into verses intended to bring new courage. At the beginning, the verses are recited, accompanied by sacred organ sounds. The song is arguably more focused on the second part – finding new courage. The sound comes across as correspondingly optimistic. “Underneath The Sea” then leans towards high-speed Metal/Rock. And on “Beneath A Steel Sky”, the distorted guitar riffs strike again. Christa’s vocals are technically distorted in places. “The Dark Passenger Pt.2” is a continuation of a track from the debut album. A bit calmer and more melodic than the first part, but hardly any less heavy. The riffs march majestically along. Mandy Manala have saved the title track, ‘Something Wicked’, as the finale. After a slightly calmer introduction, distorted riffs blast out of the speakers one last time.

With ‘Something Wicked’, the Finnish band have produced a worthy follow-up. The sound is hard and raw, just like the bands mentioned above. Once again, singer Christa Nedergård delivers a compelling performance. She is truly driven by her bandmates and manages to hold her own vocally against the noisy instruments.

Mandy Manala – Nocturnal Bites: https://youtu.be/NRPje29zJrY?si=DZVDewYRQCvS3JZU

Lineup:

Christa Nedergård – Vocals
Jonas Snickars – Drums
Joel Vienonen – Guitar
David Granfors – Guitar
Kenneth Norrlin – Bass

Track list:

• Bloodred Chapel of Sin
• Nocturnal Bites
• Bridges
• Shoebox
• Psalm 77:7
• Underneath The Sea
• Beneath A Steel Sky
• The Dark Passenger Pt.2
• Something Wicked