Open the Gates
| Open the Gates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:ManillaRoad OpenTheGates.jpg | ||||
| Studio album by Manilla Road | ||||
| Released | 1985 | |||
| Recorded | 1985 | |||
| Genre | Heavy metal | |||
| Length | 52:45 | |||
| Label | Black Dragon Records | |||
| Producer | Manilla Road, Max Merhoff and Rick Fisher | |||
| Manilla Road chronology | ||||
|
||||
| Professional ratings | |
|---|---|
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Kerrang! |  [2] |
Open the Gates is the fourth album by American heavy metal band Manilla Road. It was released in 1985 on the Black Dragon record label, rather than the band's own label, Roadster Records, which they had used on their previous releases.
The album is heavier than earlier material in part due to the departure of drummer Rick Fisher (who nevertheless assisted with the production work) and his replacement by Randy Foxe. The space rock elements of the band's sound were also superseded by more fantasy themes and a greater epic sensibility. Many of the songs are inspired by the Arthurian legends of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, others by R.B. Anderson's original translation of Norse mythology. The song "Astronomica" is based on the work by Marcus Manilius. The cover art is by Eric Larnoy.
Track listing
All songs written by Mark Shelton.
- "Metalstrom" – 5:17
- "Open the Gates" – 2:20
- "Astronomica" – 4:59
- "Weavers of the Web" – 4:17
- "The Ninth Wave" – 9:30
- "Heavy Metal to the World" – 3:19
- "The Fires of Mars" – 6:13
- "Road of Kings" – 5:46
- "Hour of the Dragon" – 4:44
- "Witches Brew" – 6:20
The 2001 digipack includes live versions of "Open the Gates" and "Witches Brew".
Line-up
- Mark Shelton – vocals, guitar
- Randy Foxe – drums
- Scott Park – bass guitar
