Open the Gates

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.

Open the Gates
Studio album by
Manilla Road
ReleasedApril 28, 1985
Recorded1984
GenreHeavy metal
Length52:45
LabelBlack Dragon Records
ProducerManilla Road, Max Merhoff and Rick Fisher
Manilla Road chronology
Crystal Logic
(1983)		 Open the Gates
(1985)		 The Deluge
(1986)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Kerrang![2]
Rock Hard7.0/10[3]

The album is heavier than earlier material in part due to the departure of drummer Rick Fisher (who assisted with the production) and his replacement by Randy “Thrasher” 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 The space rock elements of the band's sound were also superseded by more fantasy themes and a greater epic sensibility.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.

  1. "Metalstorm" – 5:17
  2. "Open the Gates" – 2:20
  3. "Astronomica" – 4:59
  4. "Weavers of the Web" – 4:17
  5. "The Ninth Wave" – 9:30
  6. "Heavy Metal to the World" – 3:19
  7. "The Fires of Mars" – 6:13
  8. "Road of Kings" – 5:46
  9. "Hour of the Dragon" – 4:44
  10. "Witches Brew" – 6:20

Note

  • The 2001 digipack includes live versions of "Open the Gates" and "Witches Brew".

Personnel

References
  1. Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Manilla Road Open the Gates review". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-08-31.
  2. Wall, Mick (1 November 1985). "Manilla Road 'Open the Gates'". Kerrang!. 106. London, UK: Morgan Grampian. p. 27.
  3. Stratmann, Holger (1985). "Review Album: Manilla Road — Open The Gates". Rock Hard (in German). No. 12.
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