Manilla Road
Encyclopedia
Manilla Road are an American
heavy metal
band from Wichita, Kansas
, founded by lead guitarist Mark 'the Shark' Shelton (vocals and guitar
) (born December 3, 1957 in Wichita, Kansas, USA).
and brothers Robert and Scott Park. After playing in local bars, the group first gained attention with their song "Herman Hill," inspired by the Herman Hill riot
. Their first album
Invasion was released in 1980 on the band's own label, Roadster Records. Between this time and their next release the band recorded material for an album to be titled The Dreams Of Eschaton, however this was not released until 2002 (under the name Mark of the Beast) as they were not happy with the sound. Shelton has been quoted as saying the music was "not metal enough" and "sounded like shit." Despite this Mark of the Beast
was critically well received when it was eventually released. These early albums have more in common with progressive rock
and proto-heavy metal than the band's later heavier speed/thrash metal sound.
The next record was Metal, which began to define the future musical direction of Manilla Road. Their "classic" sound was solidified with the release of Crystal Logic
in 1983.
, the new lineup's first two albums, Open the Gates
and The Deluge
, are generally considered to be classics in the field of heavy metal. It was on these three albums that Manilla Road's style became fully formed. Lyrics typically feature fantastic elements from Norse mythology, Arthurian legend or other literary sources. These are often combined in one setting, the concept album Atlantis Rising, for example, features a war between the Æsir
and Cthulhu
, centered around the city of Atlantis
.
Mystification
suffered from exceptionally poor production resulting, ironically, from the substandard equipment at a new studio the band hoped would improve their sound. The recent re-release has fixed this problem to a large extent. After Mystification came Out of the Abyss
, widely criticised at the time for its thrash metal
influences. The band released one more album, The Courts of Chaos
(described by Shelton as "the first true Manilla Road masterpiece") before splitting up.
with Aaron Brown and Andrew Coss. Despite having never been intended as a Manilla Road project, the album was released under this name at the record company's insistence. After this incident, Mark Shelton went on hiatus for nearly a decade.
in 2001, again with Mark Shelton as the only original member. On this occasion, however, the sound was much more consistent with the Manilla Road of old and it was the band who decided to continue using the name. Their latest albums are Spiral Castle
published in 2002, Gates Of Fire
, in 2005, and Voyager
in 2008.
Original rhythm guitarists Robert Park's son started an alternative rock band in 2002, The Canadian Lawyers. The Canadian Lawyers rhythm guitarist is also Scott Park's nephew.
Norwegian black metal
band Darkthrone
mentioned the band in the song "Raised on Rock" on the 2007 album, F.O.A.D.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band from Wichita, Kansas
Wichita, Kansas
Wichita is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kansas.As of the 2010 census, the city population was 382,368. Located in south-central Kansas on the Arkansas River, Wichita is the county seat of Sedgwick County and the principal city of the Wichita metropolitan area...
, founded by lead guitarist Mark 'the Shark' Shelton (vocals and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
) (born December 3, 1957 in Wichita, Kansas, USA).
Beginnings
Manilla Road was created by Shelton in 1977 with high school friends Benny Munkirs, Rick FisherRick Fisher
Rick Fisher is a lighting designer, known for his work with Stephen Daldry on Billy Elliot the Musical and An Inspector Calls. He is from Philadelphia and attended Dickinson College, but has been based in the UK for the last 30 years....
and brothers Robert and Scott Park. After playing in local bars, the group first gained attention with their song "Herman Hill," inspired by the Herman Hill riot
Herman Hill riot
Herman Hill Riot was a conflict in Wichita, Kansas between the audience of a Ted Nugent concert in Herman Hill park and the police on April 15, 1979, Easter Sunday...
. Their first album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
Invasion was released in 1980 on the band's own label, Roadster Records. Between this time and their next release the band recorded material for an album to be titled The Dreams Of Eschaton, however this was not released until 2002 (under the name Mark of the Beast) as they were not happy with the sound. Shelton has been quoted as saying the music was "not metal enough" and "sounded like shit." Despite this Mark of the Beast
Mark of the Beast (album)
Mark of the Beast is an album released by the band Manilla Road in 2002. The album was originally recorded in 1981, and was intended to be the band's second album. The results were unsatisfactory and so it was scrapped in favor of writing for the album Metal...
was critically well received when it was eventually released. These early albums have more in common with progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
and proto-heavy metal than the band's later heavier speed/thrash metal sound.
The next record was Metal, which began to define the future musical direction of Manilla Road. Their "classic" sound was solidified with the release of Crystal Logic
Crystal Logic
Crystal Logic is an album released by Manilla Road in 1983 . On this album the band fully embraced heavy metal, leaving behind the space, progressive and hard rock influences which could be found on the two previous albums....
in 1983.
Second lineup
The next five Manilla Road albums (along with a live release, "Roadkill") featured new drummer Randy Foxe, who had more of a thrash-oriented style than original drummer Rick Fisher. Along with Crystal LogicCrystal Logic
Crystal Logic is an album released by Manilla Road in 1983 . On this album the band fully embraced heavy metal, leaving behind the space, progressive and hard rock influences which could be found on the two previous albums....
, the new lineup's first two albums, Open the Gates
Open the Gates
Open the Gates is the fourth album by American heavy metal band Manilla Road. It was released in 1985 on the Black Dragon record label, rather than the band's own label, Roadster Records, which they had used on their previous releases....
and The Deluge
The Deluge (album)
The Deluge is the fifth album released by Manilla Road. It was first issued in 1986, then re-released in 2001.-Track listing:# "Dementia" - 3:09# "Shadow in the Black" - 5:22# "Divine Victim" - 3:09# "Hammer of the Witches" - 2:41...
, are generally considered to be classics in the field of heavy metal. It was on these three albums that Manilla Road's style became fully formed. Lyrics typically feature fantastic elements from Norse mythology, Arthurian legend or other literary sources. These are often combined in one setting, the concept album Atlantis Rising, for example, features a war between the Æsir
Æsir
In Old Norse, áss is the term denoting a member of the principal pantheon in Norse paganism. This pantheon includes Odin, Frigg, Thor, Baldr and Tyr. The second pantheon comprises the Vanir...
and Cthulhu
Cthulhu
Cthulhu is a fictional character that first appeared in the short story "The Call of Cthulhu", published in the pulp magazine Weird Tales in 1928. The character was created by writer H. P...
, centered around the city of Atlantis
Atlantis
Atlantis is a legendary island first mentioned in Plato's dialogues Timaeus and Critias, written about 360 BC....
.
Mystification
Mystification (album)
Mystification is the sixth album released by the band Manilla Road. It was first issued in 1987 on Black Dragon Records, then re-released in 2000 on Sentinel Steel Records...
suffered from exceptionally poor production resulting, ironically, from the substandard equipment at a new studio the band hoped would improve their sound. The recent re-release has fixed this problem to a large extent. After Mystification came Out of the Abyss
Out of the Abyss
Out of the Abyss is the seventh studio album released by the band Manilla Road. It was first issued in 1988 on Black Dragon Records, then re-released in 2005 on Cult Metal Classics...
, widely criticised at the time for its thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
influences. The band released one more album, The Courts of Chaos
The Courts of Chaos (album)
The Courts of Chaos is an album released by American epic heavy metal band Manilla Road in 1990. This is the last album before the band split up...
(described by Shelton as "the first true Manilla Road masterpiece") before splitting up.
Circus Maximus and hiatus
In 1992 Mark Shelton recorded The Circus MaximusThe Circus Maximus
The Circus Maximus is an album released by American epic Heavy Metal band Manilla Road in 1992. This album is not really a Manilla Road album, but rather a Mark Shelton solo project that Black Dragon Records added the Manilla Road logo onto so as to sell more copies.-Track listing:# "Throne of...
with Aaron Brown and Andrew Coss. Despite having never been intended as a Manilla Road project, the album was released under this name at the record company's insistence. After this incident, Mark Shelton went on hiatus for nearly a decade.
Re-formation
Manilla Road re-formed and released Atlantis RisingAtlantis Rising
Atlantis Rising is a concept album released by heavy metal band Manilla Road in 2001. Its content revolves around the lost continent of Atlantis re-emerging and the resulting war between the Æsir and Great Old Ones over the continent.-Track listing:...
in 2001, again with Mark Shelton as the only original member. On this occasion, however, the sound was much more consistent with the Manilla Road of old and it was the band who decided to continue using the name. Their latest albums are Spiral Castle
Spiral Castle
Spiral Castle was at one time the seat of power for the fictional land of Prydain. During the period of time covered by Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain, it had become one of many strongholds under the influence of Arawn Death-Lord, personally administered by Queen Achren.The earliest story...
published in 2002, Gates Of Fire
Gates of Fire (album)
Gates of Fire is an album released by heavy metal band Manilla Road in 2005. It is divided into a trilogy: "The Frost's Giant Daughter", inspired by the story of the same name written by Robert E...
, in 2005, and Voyager
Voyager (Manilla Road album)
Voyager is an album released by heavy metal band Manilla Road in 2008.-Track listing:# "Tomb of the Serpent King / Butchers of the Sea" - 9:02# "Frost and Fire" - 6:02# "Tree of Life" - 8:00# "Blood Eagle" - 6:11# "Voyager" - 9:31...
in 2008.
Up the Hammer and Down the Nails
In 2007 Manilla Road was honored by Solemnity-Music in Germany with the release of The Riddle Masters: A Tribute to Manilla Road This double disc release contains songs from 18 bands all over the world playing their versions of Manilla Road's classics.Original rhythm guitarists Robert Park's son started an alternative rock band in 2002, The Canadian Lawyers. The Canadian Lawyers rhythm guitarist is also Scott Park's nephew.
Norwegian black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
band Darkthrone
Darkthrone
Darkthrone is a Norwegian black metal band. They formed in 1987 as a death metal band, but after embracing the black metal style in 1991, they became a driving force in the Norwegian black metal scene. For most of this period Darkthrone has consisted of just two musicians, Nocturno Culto and...
mentioned the band in the song "Raised on Rock" on the 2007 album, F.O.A.D.
F.O.A.D.
F.O.A.D. is the twelfth album by the Norwegian band Darkthrone. Released in September 2007, the album is a further shift from Darkthrone's black metal roots, expanding on the punk-oriented style introduced on their previous album, The Cult is Alive. It also features some parts that are similar to...
Discography
- Invasion - 1980
- Metal - 1982
- Crystal LogicCrystal LogicCrystal Logic is an album released by Manilla Road in 1983 . On this album the band fully embraced heavy metal, leaving behind the space, progressive and hard rock influences which could be found on the two previous albums....
- 1983 - Open the GatesOpen the GatesOpen the Gates is the fourth album by American heavy metal band Manilla Road. It was released in 1985 on the Black Dragon record label, rather than the band's own label, Roadster Records, which they had used on their previous releases....
- 1985 - The DelugeThe Deluge (album)The Deluge is the fifth album released by Manilla Road. It was first issued in 1986, then re-released in 2001.-Track listing:# "Dementia" - 3:09# "Shadow in the Black" - 5:22# "Divine Victim" - 3:09# "Hammer of the Witches" - 2:41...
- 1986 - MystificationMystification (album)Mystification is the sixth album released by the band Manilla Road. It was first issued in 1987 on Black Dragon Records, then re-released in 2000 on Sentinel Steel Records...
- 1987 - RoadkillRoadkill (album)Roadkill is a live album released by the band Manilla Road in 1988 on Black Dragon Records.-LP Version:# "Dementia" – 3:08# "Open the Gates" – 2:15# "Mystification" – 5:25# "The Deluge" – 7:21# "Masque of the Red Death" – 5:06# "Witches Brew" – 5:21...
- 1988 (live) - Out of the AbyssOut of the AbyssOut of the Abyss is the seventh studio album released by the band Manilla Road. It was first issued in 1988 on Black Dragon Records, then re-released in 2005 on Cult Metal Classics...
- 1988 - The Courts of ChaosThe Courts of Chaos (album)The Courts of Chaos is an album released by American epic heavy metal band Manilla Road in 1990. This is the last album before the band split up...
- 1990 - The Circus MaximusThe Circus MaximusThe Circus Maximus is an album released by American epic Heavy Metal band Manilla Road in 1992. This album is not really a Manilla Road album, but rather a Mark Shelton solo project that Black Dragon Records added the Manilla Road logo onto so as to sell more copies.-Track listing:# "Throne of...
- 1992 (Shelton solo project) - Atlantis RisingAtlantis RisingAtlantis Rising is a concept album released by heavy metal band Manilla Road in 2001. Its content revolves around the lost continent of Atlantis re-emerging and the resulting war between the Æsir and Great Old Ones over the continent.-Track listing:...
- 2001 - Spiral CastleSpiral Castle (album)Spiral Castle is the 12th album by heavy metal band Manilla Road released in 2002 by Iron Glory Records.-Track listing:# "Gateway to the Sphere" - 2:30# "Spiral Castle" - 8:26# "Shadow" - 4:24# "Seven Trumpets" - 5:19# "Merchants of Death" - 10:53...
- 2002 - Mark of the BeastMark of the Beast (album)Mark of the Beast is an album released by the band Manilla Road in 2002. The album was originally recorded in 1981, and was intended to be the band's second album. The results were unsatisfactory and so it was scrapped in favor of writing for the album Metal...
- 2002 (recorded in 1981) - Gates of FireGates of Fire (album)Gates of Fire is an album released by heavy metal band Manilla Road in 2005. It is divided into a trilogy: "The Frost's Giant Daughter", inspired by the story of the same name written by Robert E...
- 2005 - VoyagerVoyager (Manilla Road album)Voyager is an album released by heavy metal band Manilla Road in 2008.-Track listing:# "Tomb of the Serpent King / Butchers of the Sea" - 9:02# "Frost and Fire" - 6:02# "Tree of Life" - 8:00# "Blood Eagle" - 6:11# "Voyager" - 9:31...
- 2008 - After Midnight Live - 2009 (recorded live, on the air, at KMUW radio studios in 1979)
- Playground of the Damned - 2011