Here's a Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8npCMc3s5a4

Crystal Logic is awesome!

I need to catch up here!

I need to start a manilla road collection. My wife will be going on a business trip to france, so i'll ask her if she can hook me up with a couple of titles. What would you recommend?

I doubt that she'll be able to find 'em in regular stores, on CD at least. My personal favorites are Crystal Logic, Open the Gates (which is up next, if I can find the time), The Deluge and Mystification. Hope your wife has any luck bro!

"Open the Gates" 1985



1. Metalstrom
2. Open the Gates
3. Astronomica
4. Weavers of the Web
5. The Ninth Wave
6. Heavy Metal to the World
7. The Fires of Mars
8. Road of Kings
9. Hour of the Dragon
10. Witches Brew

After the masterpiece that is Crystal Logic, there was a line up change in the Manilla Road camp. Drummer Rick Fisher left the band, and in came Randy Foxe, who is in my opinion one of the finest drummers in underground heavy metal, though truth be told his drumwork on Open the Gates isn't as impressive as on the next couple of albums.

Now then, Open the Gates... where should I start? This album is a masterpiece. It is simply one of the finest epic metal albums in existence, and cement Manilla Road's reputation as a thinking man's Manowar. The production is better than on Crystal Logic (though I have to admit that CL's sound does have its charms), the songs are heavier and there's no commercial rocker like Feeling Free Again (although Heavy Metal to the World does come kinda close). All other songs are just epic heavy metal masterpieces. I could write all day about this album, but why should I? Listen to some songs on youtube and buy it. American epic heavy metal at its best. Buy or die my fellow metal maniacs!

.... and isn't that cover just awesome?

for those interested in manilla road please check out my youtube page with videos from the band the link is below

http://www.youtube.com/user/bobafett39?feature=mhum

I'm still on 'Crystal Logic'. but here is my "review" of it:

'Crystal Logic' was to be the third album from Manilla Road, and the one that broke the band on a larger scale, much thanks to the song "Flaming Metal System" being featured on Shrapnel Records 'US Metal Vol. 3' compilation.

Mind you, "Flaming Metal System" was not on the original version of 'Crystal Logic', released through Roadster Records in 1983. However, when Iron Glory Records reissued the album on CD in 2000, they added the song as a bonus. They even put it as the third track on the album, making it a part of the song order, instead of ending the CD as most bonus cuts do. The song do fit perfectly amongst the rest of the original tracks though, and I would never have noticed any difference, since I never herd the original vinyl version.

Musically this is where Manilla Road finds their sound, and it all comes together for them. This is epic metal, played with charm and conviction, more than instrumental bedazzling. The production is sub par, the vocals an acquired taste, and the songs will most likely leave you cold after just one spin. But if you are looking for that medieval, epic feel, for some the only true metal feeling, than Manilla Road are the purveyors. 'Crystal Logic' is refreshingly free of genre clichés, and song writing wise we're again talking about capturing the right feeling, more than following the unwritten rules of metal. So instead of your average galloping riffs and ditto rhythm section, you get actual songs that differ in pace, approach and mood. Now, I am not saying that this is the best thing since sliced bread or anything. I'm just stating that true metal is about being originators more than followers, and here Manilla Road have managed just that.

'Crystal Logic' is hailed by most fans as Manilla Road's crowning achievement. Myself, I have heard too few of their albums to make a comment on that. But I certainly hold the album in higher esteem than it's 2 predecessors.

Killer tracks: Necropolis, Flaming Metal System, Crystal Logic

Yeah, there stuff is pretty obscure.

If someone needs to pick up this thread, I can do it.

Brain, that would be cool. Just try and talk with DaveTheBoss about it first. He's on FB every day, so he should be easy to obtain there.

Thanks, Kurp.