First of all – for the ones unfamiliar with Manilla Road – this double album contains reissues from Manilla Road’s first two albums called Invasion and Metal; so this is no new material. These are exact and remastered copies from the original albums. So, now that we know that, let me focus on this exceptional epic metal band from Kansas.

At the time these albums were released, Manilla Road consisted of three members: vocalist/guitarist Mark Shelton, bassist Scott Park and drummer Rick Fisher. Today, Mark Shelton is the only one remaining from the original line-up. Both albums contain a clear level of rock ‘n roll blended together with a gloomy epic sound and staggering lyrics by Mark Shelton.

Manilla Road released their first album Invasion through their own label Roadster in 1980. Both Invasion and Metal are very rare to get on vinyl, they’re worth a little fortune. The thing Manilla Road do best is building up towards a climax. I can give you plenty of examples, such as “The Dream Goes On” or the 13-minute track “The Empire”, “Metal” or “Cage Of Mirrors”. The first song I heard from Manilla Road was “Metal” and as they same themselves, it takes only one song to become addicted. And they’re still one of my favorite bands this day and I’m sure they will always be. I myself like this second album better than Invasion, you can hear it’s developed more into the epic Manilla Road from the years after.

Invasion and Metal are the founding for Manilla Road’s later work, which developed into a more heavy and epic metal band. Without Invasion we would never have a masterpiece like Crystal Logic, Open The Gates, The Deluge or any other album. This band has changed a lot throughout the years, from rock ‘n roll to thrashier albums (such as Out Of The Abyss). But whatever they released, every single album has a certain magical charm of its own. And yes, a comparison with Omen, Brocas Helm or Warlord is not out of place, but still, this combination of dark, epic sound combined with amazing solos, raw vocals and just the entire early Manilla Road’s atmosphere, is incomparable.

Some songs might remind you of Mark Of The Beast, an album released last year which features unrecorded songs from the early years of Manilla Road. Many songs on this album are fantastic, but still both Invasion and Metal have much more potential, and more strength than this one. There is nothing at all like these two albums, not even another Manilla Road album.

I could go on reviewing these albums for another page or two but in the end you will have to listen to this yourself and be enchanted by the sound. So, I’ll finish this by a quote from their site: “Manilla Road is more than just a metal band! It is one of the few groups on this planet that fills your head and your heart with music.” I couldn’t agree more.