Crystal Logic

Not a lot of metal bands out of Kansas, and Manilla Road seem like they shouldn’t be. From Cimmeria or Atlantis, maybe, but not the Midwest. Heavily inspired by Robert E Howard and H.P. Lovecraft (second track “Necropolis” has words based on Kull the Conqueror), their pulp sensibilities inform every aspect of the band, from the lyrics to the sound. Even at the time reviews said they felt dated, but their old-school melodic metal feels more timeless. Mark “The Shark” Shelton’s nasal howl sets “Flaming Metal System” ablaze.