As "American Idol" has proven, reality TV music competitions aren't always kind to the runner-up's. Most land a deal with a label as a vanity signing, get some initial buzz and then quickly fall off of the face of the earth. Taking home the third place slot on MTV's recent "Battle For Ozzfest" TV series, Manntis are trying their hand at breaking this curse and "Sleep In Your Grave" is their battleplan.

The angry chug of North American metalcore laced with Swedish thrash quickly greets the listener on "Sleep In Your Grave" and the band rarely differentiate from this vicious, if not slightly diluted, mixture. Think Shadows Fall, Lamb Of God and maybe a touch of Hatebreed and you have a good idea of what to expect. The musicanship is proficent, jam packed with breakdowns, throaty bellows and shrill guitar-driven build-ups. While a battering rhythm section, including a drummer that can actuallly refrain from using the double kick every five seconds, keeps a quick and to the point pace.

This in turn all makes for an album that will clearly resonate with the mainstream fans who don't know much outside of the much-hyped "New Wave of American Heavy Metal." But for those who've had to suffer through the abundance of similar-sounding acts that comprise the metalcore scene at present, there really isn't much here worth noting. It all feels a bit too unimaginative and uninspiring to set itself apart. Hopefully the next grave they dig for the listener will be a bit deeper.