Customer Reviews

Crystal Logic

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

Manilla Road is one of those bands I'd read and heard about for years,but hadn't actually ever heard.Nowadays,with everything placed in tidy,neat little categories and sub-genres,I would lump this in with the "true metal" scene with bands like Lord Weird Slough Feg and Brocas Helm keeping the fires alive.I would say this reminds me of a little less-cheesy Manowar,Cirith Ungol,etc.Those are just points of reference though,as Manilla Road has their own distinct sound.I'll be looking for their other releases foer sure!

Originally released in 1983, Crystal Logic was the third album from Kansas band Manilla Road, one of the most consistently overlooked American heavy metal bands ever. The band has been toiling in relative obscurity since the late 1970's, and while they're not as well known as they should be, they absolutely made their mark on a generation of younger bands thanks to albums like Crystal Logic.

With Crystal Logic, Manilla Road takes the sound they had on their previous album (Metal) to the next level. It's heavier and more powerful, but powerful in a doomy way, not the unicorns dancing with elves kind of way. You can draw parallels to NWOBHM bands like Saxon, Angel Witch and Cloven Hoof, but Manilla Road's sound was pretty unique, even if their idea of mixing fantasy themes and heavy music wasn't. Then again, there's fantasy and then there's the unearthly themes vocalist/guitarist Mark Shelton penned here, which are still amazing all these years later. Songs like "Necropolis" and "Dreams of Eschaton" will definitely transport you to strange new realms.

Crystal Logic remains a classic entry in the Manilla Road discography, and is a great starting point for those who may be unfamiliar with the band. It's also an album that just about anyone into classic `80s heavy, traditional and doom metal really needs to own.

Edition Notes: Crystal Logic was reissued in 2000 by Iron Glory Records. The album has been remastered, and the song "Flaming Metal System" from the US Metal Vol. 3 compilation has been added as a bonus track. The remastering isn't brilliant, but with an album like this that may be a good thing. The rougher sound is part of the appeal.