Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:14 am
I just realized, I partially detailed the rationale behind this very subject on my reviews site:
"While on the surface this record may seem like an average American thrash metal effort, its true roots and influences are much more vast and confusing. The music of Manilla Road is in many cases a categorical nightmare for critics and album reviewers, hence fans have come to uniformly refer to their style as "epic metal" for lack of more accurate terminlogy. In contention with 99% of critical opinion, Manilla Road's musical approach is actually more akin to the heavy, progressive rock of the 1970s than to heavy metal or its subgenres, though there is still an ample dose of heavy guitar-playing on display. Because of this, casual metal listeners might be less appreciative of the band's work than would balding fans of the prog/heavy rock groups of yore.
Where can the group's influences be drawn from, and what in turn brought about the creation of so-called "epic metal?" To begin with, lead guitarist and vocalist Mark "The Shark" Shelton has cited in interviews several heavy prog acts from the 70s as important influences on his band, such as English space-rockers Hawkwind and America's own Bloodrock. There are also several metal influences, although these are practically indistinguishable amidst Shelton's compositions. Having caught the first wave of British metal to strike America in the early 80s, Shelton also favorably recalls growing up with NWOBHM stalwarts Iron Maiden, Angel Witch and Motorhead (ironically, in whose ranks ex-Hawkwind bassist Lemmy Kilmister would spend most of his career). However, it is a fair argument that Manilla Road was among the pioneering acts of traditional metal on American turf, predating such bands as Manowar or Virgin Steele. That is not to say they employ a style similar to any of those bands; Manilla albums tend to be uncompromisingly original and defying of comparison. In fact, to name a musically or aesthetically similar metal band is almost impossible, up-and-coming copycats notwithstanding."
So yeah.. that's my take on it. Did you try to submit them to PA yet?
"While on the surface this record may seem like an average American thrash metal effort, its true roots and influences are much more vast and confusing. The music of Manilla Road is in many cases a categorical nightmare for critics and album reviewers, hence fans have come to uniformly refer to their style as "epic metal" for lack of more accurate terminlogy. In contention with 99% of critical opinion, Manilla Road's musical approach is actually more akin to the heavy, progressive rock of the 1970s than to heavy metal or its subgenres, though there is still an ample dose of heavy guitar-playing on display. Because of this, casual metal listeners might be less appreciative of the band's work than would balding fans of the prog/heavy rock groups of yore.
Where can the group's influences be drawn from, and what in turn brought about the creation of so-called "epic metal?" To begin with, lead guitarist and vocalist Mark "The Shark" Shelton has cited in interviews several heavy prog acts from the 70s as important influences on his band, such as English space-rockers Hawkwind and America's own Bloodrock. There are also several metal influences, although these are practically indistinguishable amidst Shelton's compositions. Having caught the first wave of British metal to strike America in the early 80s, Shelton also favorably recalls growing up with NWOBHM stalwarts Iron Maiden, Angel Witch and Motorhead (ironically, in whose ranks ex-Hawkwind bassist Lemmy Kilmister would spend most of his career). However, it is a fair argument that Manilla Road was among the pioneering acts of traditional metal on American turf, predating such bands as Manowar or Virgin Steele. That is not to say they employ a style similar to any of those bands; Manilla albums tend to be uncompromisingly original and defying of comparison. In fact, to name a musically or aesthetically similar metal band is almost impossible, up-and-coming copycats notwithstanding."
So yeah.. that's my take on it. Did you try to submit them to PA yet?
