Review by Tymell for Manilla Road - Crystal Logic (1983)

Crystal Logic is honestly one of the purest representations of heavy metal around. It's like a primer on the genre in its original form at this time. It's not necessarily that it's the most epic (though it is epic), nor that it has the best riffs (though it has good riffs), it's just such a concentrated little nugget of what made heavy metal.

Like the wider genre, it's an acquired taste, brimming with cheese that you really need to be in the right mood for. If you are, and can let yourself get carried away into the D&D-inspired worlds of fantasy, this is going to be a wonderfully rewarding ride. Likewise, Mark Shelton's supremely nasally vocals aren't going to be for everyone, but again, if you can just go with it, they're such fun and full of narm charm. Just like in classic role-playing fashion, you can just get into it.

"Necropolis" is a wonderful example, such a fun, catchy ride, and "Flaming Metal System" opens with appropriately molten guitar work. "The Veils of Negative Existence" takes a dip into doomier territory, while tracks like "The Riddle Master" and "The Ram" cut loose part way through and ramp things up into raw speed. "The Ram" in particular just absolutely lifts off into the stratosphere out of nowhere, the band just deciding "Fuck it, let's rip this shit up!".

As the above illustrates, this is an album with a nice degree of variety in flavours while still maintaining a consistent tone, but even beyond that, it just -feels- like heavy metal in its undiluted form. The unabashed cheese, the emphasis on the riffs, the flashy work that complements rather than overpowering, the willingness to just cut loose and go with the flow, it's all there. There might be albums that take individual aspects to other levels or places, but this -is- heavy metal, right here.

Sadly, there is one minor elephant in the room: "Dream of Eschaton". It's a great closing song, with a hell of a hook in its crunchy stomp, and right away it put me in mind of Angel Witch's "Angel of Death". In fact, the more I listened, the more apparent it was, and indeed, some quick research reveals that Shelton even talks about direct "inspiration" in this regard, all but admitting the main riff and rhythm was lifted from there. It's a shame, as it's clear Manilla Road are capable of putting out quality stuff on their own.

Choice cuts: Necropolis, The Ram, The Riddle Master