Crystal Logic [Import]

Manilla Road | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• ASIN: B0001LYEGO
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #117,499 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Prologue

2. Necropolis

3. Flaming Metal System (Bonus Track)

4. Crystal Logic

5. Feeling Free Again

6. The Riddle Master

7. The Ram

8. The Veils Of Negative Existence

9. Dreams Of Eschaton / Epilogue

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God We 've Found The Road!, November 22, 2007

By 

Anton Rojkov (Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Crystal Logic (Audio CD)

Having listened to "Necropolis" about 5 years ago I wondered: What is that? This is a weird sound, vocals are too soft for metal, but hell, it captures you so well and doesn't let go! Now listening to it again and again, with the rest of the songs I am thankful to fate that I found the Road. Because it is very inspiring catchy music that is written with a soul. The music is a bit light on this record (not like on Courts of Chaos, for example) but it grabs and doesn't let go! Shelton's voice is calling into a battle and you just can't say no! Somewhat dark atmosphere of the songs together with a optimistic lyrical message, fighting evil forces for the glory of the Gods of light is a great opposition to bands like Slayer and Venom and it is a great opportunity to listen to it, for it is quite rare in metal. Even though "Feeling Free Again" is a typical rock'n'roll track, more suiting bands like Motorhead, most of the songs show the musicians are not just about swords and magic, but know mythology well and can make the poetry images brighter and more interesting to read about. Awesome!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic American underground metal, January 23, 2010

By 

Bloodbath_and_Beyond (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Crystal Logic (Audio CD)

Although the power metal genre would thrive (mainly in Europe) throughout the mid 90's and well into the 00's, the now currrent dominating subgenre of metal had it's origins. Mainly in cult underground bands like Cirith Ungol, Manilla Road, Helloween, and of course Rainbow and solo Dio. This group out of Kansas, has been operating independenly since the late 70s, from Kansas of all places, their 1979 debut Invasion was a bizarre yet rocking mix of prog/space-rock and funky hard rockers, and their second effort aply titled Metal, was an interesting album too. However the band was apparently building on their sound and on 1983's Crystal Logic, the sound had... crystalized. Right from opener Necropolis along with MR staples like the chugging title track, The Ram, Riddle Master, and Feeling Free Again, this is the sorcery genre in its first stages. Fans of what would be dubbed 'epic metal' would find the roots of their beloved genre here. Although the power metal genre typically now popularized by groups like Hammerfall, Iced Earth, Dragonforce etc. usually consist of very fast highly polished and metallic, keyboard and/or orchestrated 10 minute songs, chock full of busy and amazing guitar and vocal work, MR has more in common musically with the British hard rock bands of the time (Saxon, Motorhead, early Maiden, Accept) of course with the obvious hint of adventurous atmospherics. The band would go on to make other albums like The Deluge and Open The Gates that would become the "classic" MR sound, this album was the first to find it. As a metal album? It's a classic for sure, these guys have their fans. Guitarist/vocalist Mark Shelton has a warbling vocal style that might throw some off. His riffs though are amazing and he definetly deserves to be in there with the most iconic metal guitarists of the time. Musically, if you haven't heard them, yet this album is the best starting point along with The Deluge, if you can track them down. It's rough, raw and sludgy driving yet also epic and fantasy themed heavy metal. The true definition of the genre. Whether you're into American or British style metal, it won't matter. These guys are truely in a class of their own. No metal collection be without this one.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The true, the whole true and nothing but the true, September 6, 2010

By 

Doomented Dan - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Crystal Logic (Audio CD)

Underground True Metal warriors Manilla Road have made many fine albums in their career however most fans of the band would agree that Crystal Logic was their finest hour. Deft musicianship, catchy vocal melodies and fantasy/mythology themed lyrics combine in what is without doubt one of the best releases of the eighties, which is no small feat considering the wealth of excellent offerings produced worldwide during this golden era of Heavy Metal. When, through no fault of their own, planned shows with Black Sabbath and Metallica did not go ahead Manilla Road were unfortunately left behind in the underground while many far less talented bands enjoyed their time in the sun. This however does not alter the fact that singer/guitarist Mark (the Shark) Shelton and co. were responsible for creating some of the most epic, powerful and intelligent music ever to emerge from the U.S. or anywhere else for that matter. If you love Metal then you need to own Manilla Road's catalogue, but you should buy Crystal Logic first because it really is amazing. You will not be disappointed.