Manilla Road (USA) - Crystal Logic (1983)

Manilla Road (USA) - Crystal Logic (1983)

Well here it is, the one you're probably most familiar with.  This is the original pressing on Roadster Records from 1983 that has the thick cardboard sleeve with the back glued on.  It was re-released by Black Dragon Records in 1986 but as far as I know there is no difference in sound or tracklisting or whatnot.  To be honest, I much prefer their earlier work as seen on releases like Invasion, Metal, Mark Of The Beast and After Midnight Live, but this is still a legendary album and for good reason too.  The songs here are a lot simpler, but they're still extremely well crafted and we have a good quality production that does these songs justice.  You couldn't really ask for anything more.  And to those people who complain about the track Feeling Free Again, you can get fucked.  Stop your crying, Manilla Road did songs like that before Crystal Logic so who cares, its a great song.

Tracklisting:

1. Prologue
2. Necropolis
3. Crystal Logic
4. Feeling Free Again
5. The Riddle Master
6. The Ram
7. The Veils Of Negative Existence
8. Dreams Of Eschaton
9. Epilogue

Country: USA
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Manilla Road (USA) - Metal (1982)

Manilla Road (USA) - Metal (1982)

What we have here is the second Manilla Road recording (technically its their third album, but more on that in a later post).  Compared to their earlier stuff this one here sounds a bit more like what they were doing on Crystal Logic but just a little rawer.  I've tried to find the best photo I can of the original cover design, but most of what you see on the internet are from CD releases, dammit.  I do not possess the ability to scan a 12" record in full at one time as of yet, but that will come soon.  So watch out!  Contained within this album is one of my all time favourite Manilla Road tracks.  I might say that for a few songs, but I can't have just one.  The song is Cage Of Mirrors, and what a song it is!  I'll let you hear it for yourself, it has to be heard.  It also has a song about a popular video game at the time and a re-recording of Far Side Of The Sun that omits the long intro from the version heard on Invasion.

Tracklisting:

1. Enter The Warrior
2. Defender
3. Queen Of  The Black Coast
4. Metal
5. Out Of Control With Rock & Roll
6. Cage Of Mirrors
7. Far Side Of The Sun

Country: USA
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Manilla Road (USA) - Invasion (1980)

  

Manilla Road (USA) - Invasion (1980)

Here it is, I said I'd give you something else.  You probably don't care and think this isn't very special.  WELL IT IS, OK!  This is the original pressing on Roadster Records from 1980.  The first release had the purple border and on the back it had a painting of the band, standing in the clouds with swords looking like the lords of light I guess.  The album was re-released by Roadster Records in 1982, but this time it was without the border and it only had a photo of the band on the back.  What I have for you here is the original from 1980 and I haven't got the re-release but I imagine it sounds no different, but just so you know what you're getting, this is the original.  Anyway.

I really like this album.  A lot of people think of Crystal Logic as THE Manilla Road album but in reality, there is no way you can ignore any of their other releases like I know people do.  Everything they ever wrote before Crystal Logic is pure perfection, no doubt blessed by the lords of light themselves.  Its a lot more progressive and is almost like a jam session at some places.  If you hear their radio recording from 1979 and then the unreleased album from 1981 then it fits right in between there.  I will be uploading both of those albums too.  Check out the lead guitar in Cat And Mouse.  YES.

Tracklisting:

1. The Dream Goes On
2. Cat And Mouse
3. Far Side Of The Sun
4. Street Jammer
5. Centurian War Games
6. The Empire

Country: USA
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Trilogy (Aus) - Next In Line (1986)

Trilogy (Aus) - Next In Line (1986)

These guys were a sort of Progressive type band coming out of Western Australia originally under the name of Saracen.  I'm not so sure on the whole story here or if they were called Trilogy of Saracen first because everyone I've talked to says different things, depending on where they are from.  At the most, I know that these guys were on Axe Killer Records, which I believe was a French label.  In saying that, I know that the release I have ripped and the cover pictured above is the European pressing.  The original Australian pressing is exactly the same, except in place of the Trilogy logo it has Saracen instead.  That is where they lose me because I know they had another album in 1985 that had the Trilogy logo on the cover.  Confusing.  So who knows?  Not me...  At one point they also had the guitarist from Black Alice, who I've also uploaded for your Western Australian Metal listening pleasure.  How nice.

Tracklisting:

1. Against The Wall
2. In The Morning
3. Time Is Over
4. Next In Line
5. L.M.D.
6. Skyline
7. Fight With Fire
8. Three Years
9. On  The Run

Country: Australia
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Nothing Sacred (Aus) - Let Us Prey (1989)

 Nothing Sacred (Aus) - Let Us Prey (1989)

Not much to say here really besides it is the typical Thrash/Speed for the time coming from Australia.  Not saying its bad, I just prefer their earlier EP.  Have a listen for yourself though.

Tracklisting:

1. War Heads
2. Sir Magma
3. Dogs Of War
4. No Tomorrow
5. This Is War
6. Grey Slayer
7. The Dark
8. Thousand Years Gone
9. Let Us Prey
10. Guardian
11. Freddy Kreuger
12. Damaged

Country: Australia
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Massappeal (Aus) - Nobody Likes A Thinker (1986)

Massappeal (Aus) - Nobody Likes A Thinker (1986)

This one needs no introduction.  If you know who Massappeal are then you know what you are in for.  If not, here it is, go fucking download it.  Fuck.

Tracklisting:

1. Rat In A Hole
2.  Can't Forget
3.  I.V. Me
4. Deadheads
5. Forgiving
6. Pissed On Life
7. Beginning Of A Hurt

Country: Australia
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Axatak (Aus) - Sneak Attak (1984)

Axatak (Aus) - Sneak Attak (1984)

Ok, I don't actually own this demo and fuck do I want it so bad.  Someone sent me a copy of this on a CD a few years back and I don't actually remember who it was, but thanks!  I'm not usually one for demos, but FUCKING HELL!  I do have the EP from 1985 and let me tell you that compared to this demo its a pooncey, flapping, flowery piece of shit.  God, fuck.  It just doesn't compare.  This... THIS is what this band is all about, and this is all you need to hear.  This is their four best songs in all their raw glory.  No nice clean recordings like the EP, this is the god damn real thing in all its fist-fuckingly filthy glory.  People often compare this to Kiss, but I don't particularly like Kiss nor do I listen to them all that much so I couldn't really tell you if its true or not but I know that if they sound like Kiss, then whatever Axatak are doing, they are doing it right and Kiss are doing it wrong.  Simple.  I hope I've hyped this enough for you, now get it into you.  I don't care how or where you get it into yourself, just as long as its right now.

Tracklisting:

1.  Rockin' Tonight
2. Lipstick And Leather
3. Shock Rock
4. Warrior

Country: Australia
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Renegade (Aus) - Total Armageddon (1987)

Renegade (Aus) - Total Armageddon (1987)

I remember the first time I saw this album cover, it was pretty cool.  Then I notice what the demon fellow was holding in his hand.  ITS A FUCKING VB!  V FUCKING B!  Victoria Bitter, the cheapest, worst and for some reason most well know beer in all of Australia.  He has a VB, good for him.  Maybe thats why he looks so pissed off.  This one is a must, a must!  Necromancer, Black Ritual, Total Armageddon, fuck, all of the songs are perfect. And before I go, heres a little fact for you.  The engineer who recorded this album is none other than the legendary Bruce Johnston who went on to do sound for Oasis...  Yep, go figure.

Tracklisting:

1. Necromancer
2. Decapitation
3. Black Ritual
4. Lucifer's Reign
5. Total Armageddon
6. Riot Squad Gladiator
7. Maneater
8. Threshold Of Death

Country: Australia
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Light Force (Aus) - Mystical Thieves (1988)

Light Force (Aus) - Mystical Thieves (1988)

I've got a whole bunch of Australian albums releases coming up in the next few days, then some American one, but I wont tell you what they are just yet.  You'll have to wait and see.

What I've got here for you today... well... just give it a chance.  The bands theme and lyrics are just downright laughable.  Ignore that, pretend you don't speak English and leave it at that.  The music and songwriting here is very good though.  Lots of nice basslines here and there.  I like it at least, and I know some people wont go near this for being god damned Christian metal, but hey, what the fuck. If you want a real good laugh, listen to the lyrics for Metal Missionary.  HILARIOUS.

A member of the band went on to form the Christian Death Metal band Mortification who became quite big at one stage.  Their first few albums are actually pretty good, check them out too.

Tracklisting:

1. Mystical Thieves
2. Crossfire
3. City Streets
4. Metal Missionary
5. Children Of Sorrow
6. Searching
7. Fastlane
8. Babylon

Country: Australia
Bit rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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Black Alice (Aus) - Endangered Species (1983)

Black Alice (Aus) - Endangered Species (1983)

No idea what the hell that is meant to be on the cover art.  In fact, there are two different pressings, each with slightly different artwork.  Just the 'thing' in a different pose.  If anyone knows what the deal with those pressings is let me know, I can't remember anymore its been so long.  Anyway, the music here is simple, hard and straight to the point.  I think the track that stands out the most of all is Wings Of Leather, Wings Of Steel.  Just give it a listen, that opening guitar lick into that first riff, holy fuck.  The guitar tone there couldn't be more perfect for this type of metal and the bassline fits right in there so well and its audible too.  The vocalist really beats it out too.  I guess he sounds a bit like Udo from Accept if he had an Australian accent.  I don't know, I'm probably way off so listen for yourself.

Tracklisting:

1. Wings Of Leather, Wings Of Steel
2. Psycho
3. Hell Hath No Fury Like Rock 'n' Roll
4. Blade Of Slaughter
5. In The Hall Of The Ancient Kings
6. Roll The Dice
7. Running Hot, Running Wild
8. Rat-Catcher's Eyes
9. Power Crazy
10. No Warning

Country: Australia
Bit Rate: 320kbps
Password: brownsock

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