siLLy puPPy
The debut album by MANILLA ROAD is the odd album out in their discography. Along with a whole bunch of metal bands like Judas Priest, Scorpions, Darkthrone, Cirith Ungol and many others whose debut album was unlike any other that came after and more often than not occupies a strange grey area in the musical world that encompasses many musical genres. On INVASION it seems that MANILLA ROAD was more inspired by 70s space rock bands like Hawkwind or bluesy hard rock like Foghat. This album seems at times like it is going metal but it never quite gets to where they eventually would. The mix is fuzzy and psychedelic even bringing late 60s bands like Cream to mind. I have the newest remastered version so I can't comment on the original release but I can say that although this sounds like a long lost classic of yesterdecade, it sounds fairly well produced. The beefy fuzzy bass and guitar, occasional narrations and trippy sound effects are the parts that most remind me of Hawkwind.
This album also seems like it was equally inspired by progressive 70s rock and early proto-metal. While the music tends to stay within the parameters of proto-metal and hard rock, the lyrics are the beginning of a long lasting fascination with mystical kingdoms and fantasy based lyrics. The final track “The Empire” is a sprawling 13:32 track that deals with the long lost kingdom of Manilla taking back the power from the evil forces that are now in control. It seems like a parallel kingdom to such tales of Atlantis and the like but it is clear from this debut that the subject matter of the Mark Shelton's obsession with fantasy based themes has already taken root. The music may have evolved into metal but the prog rock themes remained. Although this may not qualify as their best effort one thing is for sure, MANILLA ROAD has been a consistent deliverer in quality music from the getgo and the debut INVASION is no exception. At times it does seem to resemble a typical 70s blues rock band but the sophistication emerges time and time again to distinguish itself from any other band that existed at the time. I really dig this first album. Even the album cover hints of the band's fusion of epic power metal and futuristic space rock with the sword in a crystal invading Earth. Is it good or bad? Hmmm.... you get to decide. I for one find this worth checking out.