Album review: Erdling – Mana

While I knew that Erdling were about to publish a new album called Mana this year, I definitely did not have it on my personal watch list. I might’ve mentioned it before, perhaps in my concert review on the Erdling show in Oberhausen last year: They’re usually not exactly a band I listen to at home, but one of those artists I really enjoy seeing live since I first saw them in Merseburg. I can’t even pinpoint why exactly their music so far was catchy enough for live shows, but hardly ever made me listen to them at home. So while I was somehow following the single releases, I honestly didn’t have an eye on the album.

Mana was released on 17 October 2025 via Out of Line music and it wasn’t until today when I checked the My New Arrivals playlist on Tidal that I stumbled across the album and decided to give it a listen. I had enjoyed the single releases so far, so why not.

DAMN! This was kind of an unexpected positive surprise for me! Mana is a goddamn banger! If you’re into Dark Rock/Neue Deutsche Härte (like Eisbrecher or Lord of the Lost), Erdling are definitely worth checking out, especially their new album Mana.

I don’t really know why, but I enjoy Neill Freiwald’s vocals on this album more than ever. The songs are catchy and the lyrics are strong. As in the past, some of the lyrics are still inspired by mythology or carry mythological references, but it feels less prominent than on their former albums. The songs are mostly in German, except for a small feature with Hand Of Juno singer Melissa Bruschi for Alles dreht sich.

Already the opener Aurora sets a beautiful atmosphere for the album, whereas Sternenschimmer makes a very beautiful ending to the album. The album’s atmosphere is kinda dark and heavy, but the sound is still rather on the rock side rather than metal.

Mana is the first album after their latest line-up change, when guitarists Valeria and Max Nash (the power couple behind BÖSE FUCHS) left the band and were followed by Ole Enders. I gotta clap my hands because quite a few times, I noticed how much I enjoy the guitar riffs on this album.

All in all, I enjoyed the album so much that I spontaneously decided to write this little text when I was halfway through. It’s really good. You should check it out.

And just in case that you like it you might want to check them out live on their Mana Tour 2026 with Aeverium on the following dates:

22.01. Munich, Backstage Halle
23.01. Erfurt, From Hell
24.01. Leipzig, Hellraiser Saal (with support: Desurrection)
25.01. Nürnberg, Hirsch
29.01. Berlin, Frannz Club
30.01. Lübeck, Rider’s Café
31.01. Hameln, Sumpfblume
05.02. Trier, Mergener Hof
06.02. Oberhausen, Kulttempel
07.02. Frankfurt, Das Bett

Tickets for the tour are available on Eventim for about 32€.

Furthermore, there’s a show in Finland announced for this year in November:

13.11. Helsinki, On The Rocks (with Blame Me)

They’re planning to play more shows across Europe, you might want to keep your eyes on their Instagram.