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Manilla Road: Mysterium
07/05/13 || jaimeviejo
I have a friend that is absolutely obsessed with Manilla Road. His name is Roger. He is kind of an old school metal head that thinks that Metallica’s black album is “soft”.
To me, this band was one of those “not very good but still okay” acts that populated the genre back in the day that never did anything really special. Every time I mention this to Roger, he really goes crazy telling me that I don’t know anything about music, that he’s older and that I need to listen to more Manowar, which I always agree to do.
Because I’m not really that familiar with the band and their previous work, I asked my friend Roger to tell me about them and the new album to see if I could put a review together, and this was the result:
JV: Hey Roger, have you heard the new Manilla Road album?
Silence
JV: Hey! Can you hear me?
Roger: I know you are trying to fuck with me, what kind of question is THAT? Of course I heard it, of course I bought it and of course it is freaking amazing.
JV: Ok, can you tell me why you like the band so much?
Roger: Have you heard Darkthone’s “Raised on Rock”? well, they even mention the band in the lyrics. Enough said, I mean, I hate Darkthrone and all those noisy guys with baby powder all over their faces, that’s not true metal, anyway, Fenriz knows his shit when it comes to kick ass amazing old school heavy metal bands.
JV: Okay, what about the vocals?
Roger: well, Brian Patrick (vocalist since 2007) sounds like Bowie to me which is amazing and I love him. I think it brings a different approach and character to their songs. . . I mean, it’s not one of those guys grunting or that dude Mustaine. Listen to “Hermitage”, is Bowie right there!!
JV: So, what can you tell me about the music of the band?
Roger: All I can say is that they’ve always changed their sound a little bit with every release. The production has changed too. I really love their classic albums, but their last three are really good, especially Playground of the Damned, which is not as heavy as Voyager for example, but I still dig it.
JV: You didn’t answer my question. What’s the style of the band?
Roger: Oh! It is just metal with melodic vocals and thrashy solos, nothing too fast, more mid tempo and some acoustic passages. In the new album they have this amazing acoustic song called “The Fountain” that’s really good, love it! Some songs have a power metal vibe but without being so ridiculous, kind of like NWOBHM but more organic and less pretentious.
JV: How’s the new album Mysterium? Any good?
Roger: Dude, you have no idea. Don’t piss me off or I’ll stop this crap!!
JV: I’m serious! I heard it. It’s good but I don’t have the perspective of a longtime fan like you
Roger: Okay okay, well, to me this one has a little bit of everything. It’s their 16th for god’s sake!! The production is better, or at least it’s getting better which is good. That’s something that the band always struggles with, the production, but I never really cared that much. It never made me not enjoy their songs. Definitely this is their best production to me. The album has some speedy tracks like “The Grey God Passes” or “Stand Your Ground”, then most of them are mid tempo with some fast parts and great solos. I mean, this is a consistent band dude. It’s no bullshit metal and I love that.
JV: I think I have enough Information Roger, thanks man!
Roger: I know you love Manilla Road man. Give them a good score of I’ll be pissed. Don’t spread fake shit into good hardworking bands!! I read that review you gave the new Hatebreed an 8. You’re crazy!!
JV: Bye Roger!!
After my conversation with Roger, and listening to the album a good number of times, I have to say that he was right. “Mysterium” is a no bullshit heavy metal album with an old school feel and a much improved production. It sounds like this is a good place to start digging in the huge discography of this hidden gem of a band.
- Information
- Released: 2013
- Label: Shadow Kingdom Records
- Website: Manilla Road Website
- Band
- Mark Shelton: guitar, vocals
- Brian Patrick: vocals
- Joshua Castillo: bass
- Neudi: drums
- Tracklist
- 01. The Grey God Passes
- 02. Stand Your Ground
- 03. The Battle of Bonchester Bridge
- 04. Hermitage
- 05. Do What Thou Will
- 06. Only the Brave
- 07. Hallowed Be Thy Grave
- 08. The Fountain
- 09. The Calling
- 10. Mysterium
