The Album

Did you know that the wizard rock band Split Seven Ways has a side project called Malfoy Manor? I wasn’t aware of that fact until I wrote this review! Originally released January 1, 2008, What Is Right And What Is Easy was reissued on Bandcamp on September 21, 2020. This was Malfoy Manor’s second EP, and has five songs on it. All proceeds go to a UK charity called Gendered Intelligence. Let’s take a listen!

The Tracks

Through the Looking Glass is first up, and it’s a hauntingly beautiful song about the Mirror of Erised. The instrumentals remind me of fog creeping through a dark forest floor, and the lyrics describe this magical mirror in a way that I’ve never heard before.

An otherworldly sound introduces us to the next song, Reflections. I love the melody to this song. The lyrics take a deep dive into Snape’s world via the choices he has made throughout his life.

The House Of My Fathers is an ethereally beautiful song with incredible harmonies. The underlying drumming provides a ritualistic feeling. This song is about Walburga Black, Sirius’s mother, which – as far as I’m aware – is the only song about this character that exists.

When Snape got sorted into Slytherin his first year of Hogwarts, he wanted to retain his friendship with Lily even though they were in different Houses. However, the future Death Eaters in Slytherin had different ideas for him. When Regulus and Sirius were separated by House, the Death Eaters took him in as part of their family. That’s what the song New Recruits is all about. I love the lyrics in this one; it’s such a good song for any Death Eaters out there.

Slip On The Mask (Somnus Mix) finishes out this EP. The synth sounds like stars twinkling in and out of the night sky. This song is about Bellatrix Lestrange and her relationship with her husband. We get a look into the wife of a Death Eater, and what struggles she goes through.

In Summary

I very much enjoyed listening to this EP. With its haunting instrumentals, steady drums, and stark lyrics, these songs will make you rethink what you already know about Slytherins, Death Eaters, the Mirror of Erised, and the House of Black. I rate this EP 01/01 (10/10 if you’re looking into a spooky mirror)!