Reviewed by David Bain

BEC Recordings new signing Canadian Chris Greenwood, aka Manafest, has already been making quite a name for himself with his vibrant blend of hard rock and hip-hop rhythms. Not dissimilar to mainstream groups Linkin Park and the Beastie Boys, Manafest delivers a tight debut which at moments leaves one lost for breathe at the sheer energy on display. The style is upfront and confrontational with a high commercial edge. "Impossible" deals with abuse in the home and how God can heal that, while "Where Are You" gets personal, with Manafest rapping about how to cope with losing someone close to you. Manafest has shared the stage with Thousand Foot Krunch (who guest on this album), Skillet and Superchick, to name a few. This experience shows itself in bucketsfull and pushes this album towards the ranks of the bigger names in contemporary Christian music. Having noted the polished finish, this album does lack in length and consistency though. The combination of styles is a little disconcerting at times. Perhaps this isn't an album for the hip-hop purest, but it should hopefully appeal to those who enjoy commercial rapcore.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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