Harlan

The Manilla Road attempt to shift towards more Thrash Metal sounds, and listening to it almost 30 years later, the result is more than excellent. The sulfurous atmospheres of tracks like Helicon, the methodical and precise riffing of Slaughterhouse or the title track, and the references to the typical sound of the Road in War In Heaven or the lengthy Whitechapel, make this album the hardest musically from the Wichita group. Mark Shelton had various vocal issues after the recording of Out Of The Abyss, also due to the way he sang on the album, but the magic of bands like Manilla Road has not yet faded today, and we hope it never does.

The second of four masterpieces from the Epic that will unfold over 5 years, Open The Gates proves to be heavier than its predecessor, yet it does not forsake the true essence of Manilla Road, which shines through in dreamy pieces like The Ninth Wave and Astronomica, as well as in more direct, true-to-form anthems (Metalström, Road Of Kings), and others still structured in a way that leaves you in awe (The Fires Of Mars, Hour Of The Dragon). The production, while not the best—some might even say this is a trademark of the band—greatly enhances Mark Shelton's voice, more furious and gritty compared to Crystal Logic. A must-have for genre lovers, without a doubt.

An album with great ideas, but surrounded by totally unnecessary orchestral arrangements and choirs randomly placed in some parts. However, it is counterbalanced by an exceptional vocal performance from Adams and good production for those years. It would have been interesting to hear the successor of the saga that saw Gods Of War as the first episode, and instead..

Ready to receive criticism, but for me, the best album by Megadeth. Hook In The Mouth, Mary Jane, and Set The World Afire are enough to give it top marks.

One of the ugliest albums, to say the least, I've ever listened to in my life.