If there is one Manilla Road album you should download mp3s for or buy it could be this one here. Similar to Iron Maiden in that Manila Road were almost like an immortal machine in the 80's, releasing a slew of classics and almost one every year. Difference is whilst Iron Maiden tended to make stellar slabs of recognisable, trademark NWOBHM and post nwobhm traditional metal, Manilla Road were a quirky, mystical creature whose melding of influences from prog rock, thrash and even acid rock made them a more acquired taste but when you acquire it, it's as addictive as crystal meth. Here they progress with the more faster and thrashy path they took to after the doomy "Crystal Logic" and sees them getting more thrashy with more tempo changes and raw drumming but not sacrificing the starry eyed epic passages and melodies one ounce.
Clear winners here are "Children Of The Night", "Masque Of The Red Death", "Haunted Palace" and the awesome mystical melodies of the title track, they are all worthy of a download. I find the album tends to go stale with the last 2 tracks "Dragon Star" and "The Asylum" which are pretty forgettable. However the album is able to hold your attention for the first 8 tracks which is why it's so drooled over by classic metal fans.
Artist: Manilla Road
Release Title: Mystification
Release Type: Full Length
Release Year: 1987
Artist Genre: Heavy/Power Metal
Artist Origin: U.S.A.
My Rating: 84%
Buy From: Amazon
Track Listing:
1. Up From The Crypt 2. Children Of The Night 3. Haunted Palace 4. Spirits Of The Dead 5. Valley Of Unrest 6. Mystification 7. Masque Of The Red Death 8. Death By The Hammer 9. Dragon Star 10. The Asylum (Bonus track)
Total playing time: 47:55
1. Up From The Crypt 2. Children Of The Night 3. Haunted Palace 4. Spirits Of The Dead 5. Valley Of Unrest 6. Mystification 7. Masque Of The Red Death 8. Death By The Hammer 9. Dragon Star 10. The Asylum (Bonus track)
The greatest Manilla Road album? Well it must be between this and "The Deluge". They definitely sound like them at the peak of their creativity. They made good albums after "Mystification" but this or "The Deluge" is where anyone should start with the band along with the more doomy "Crystal Logic". Check out mp3 downloads of the songs I recommended and buy it from Amazon if it's right up your alley.
