Manilla Road
Mysterium

Glorious revolts, praises of valor, mysterious disappearances, and ominous apparitions. These are the themes explored in the songs that make up "Mysterium" the new full-length by Manilla Road. Nothing new in terms of sound: "Mysterium" is still Epic Metal—plumbous, compact, heroic, evocative. There are, however, some changes in the line-up: Joshua Castillio on bass, and the new drummer Neudi, who has the daunting task of replacing Cory Christner (the only Road drummer who could make us not regret the departure of Randy Foxe). Neudi has a more powerful and bare touch, less elaborate and thunderous compared to his predecessor, making the rhythmic parts more direct. A choice that proves to be spot-on for the sound of this work, more oriented toward mid-tempos, something that hadn't happened since "The Courts Of Chaos." The production is more grandiose and clear compared to "Playground Of The Damned," but adorned with the usual epic following, thus offering the work the raw and primitive atmosphere typical of the band.

The opening is devastating: first, the heroic heavy of the opener "The Grey God Passes" and then the warlike power of "Stand Your Ground"; but it's the semi-ballad "The Battle of Bonchester Bridge” that is the first true masterpiece of the album. The song is introduced by a nocturnal arpeggio and the mournful and evocative tones of the vocals, before the dull thuds of the drums (which sound like a war drum) pave the way for a massive riff that leads to the epic mid-tempo finale. The following "Hermitage" features a historically themed text. Inspired by the castle of the same name, this song narrates the deeds of William de Soulis, who in 1320 was executed on charges of witchcraft, for having abused his magical arts plotting the death of the sovereign Robert I of Scotland. Legend has it that, after his death, William's ghost returned to the castle to continue his conspiracy against the crown. The musical transposition of this story is effective and engaging: once again, a solid and martial mid-tempo, supported by the nasal voice of Mark Shelton, tragic and expressive as ever. But the point of strength of the song remains the instrumental parts where, between one refrain and the next, the guitar marks vibrant and virtuosic solos (as if symbolizing a sinister presence hovering in the air).

Among the memorable tracks, "Hallowed Be Thy Grave" stands out, a dark gem of untainted Epic Metal where the leaden and enveloping guitars contour the impetuous drumming of Neudi while the vocals intertwine in the suffocating and exhausting atmosphere of this funereal tribute to the fallen warrior. "The Fountain" instead surprises the listener: an acoustic track with a folk flavor where the guitar arpeggios seem to reproduce the gurgle of a spring. It is then the ecstatic voice of Shelton that makes everything more magical.

After the instrumental "The Calling" (an atmospheric intro performed with the synthesizer), comes the final suite "Mysterium", centered on the adventures of Ludwig Leichhardt, a German explorer who disappeared in 1848 during an exploration of the Australian Continent. The beginning is dark and enchanting, then the piece becomes a heroic ride that calms in the end, slow and monolithic (almost doom-like). The voices resonate in a growing pathos, marking the most beautiful lyrical passages of the entire album, until a sweet and psychedelic solo leads the listener toward the end of the journey. The album closes with the breath of the wind, surrounded by the gloomy howl of a distant wolf.

"Mysterium" is a work destined to grow over time, full of artistic flair here forged in the barbaric ecstasy of Metal.

Federico "Dragonstar" Passarella.