Manilla Road was created by Shelton in 1977 with high school friends Benny Munkirs, Rick Fisher and brothers Robert and Scott Park. After playing in local bars, the group first gained attention with their song "Herman Hill," inspired by the Herman Hill riot. Their first album "Invasion" was released in 1980 on the band's own label, Roadster Records. Between this time and their next release the band recorded material for an album to be titled "The Dreams Of Eschaton", however this was not released until 2002 (under the name "Mark of the Beast") as they were not happy with the sound. Shelton has been quoted as saying the music was "not metal enough" and "sounded like shit." Despite this "Mark of the Beast" was critically well received when it was eventually released. These early albums have more in common with progressive rock and proto-heavy metal than the band's later epic metal sound.
The next record was "Metal" in 1982, which began to define the future musical direction of Manilla Road. Their "classic" sound was solidified with the epic release of "Crystal Logic" in 1983.
The next five Manilla Road albums (along with a live release, "Roadkill") featured new drummer Randy Foxe, who had more of a thrash-oriented style than original drummer Rick Fisher. Along with "Crystal Logic" (1983), the new lineup's first two albums, "Open the Gates" (1985) and "The Deluge" (1986), are generally considered to be classics in the field of epic heavy metal. It was on these three albums that Manilla Road's style became fully formed. Lyrics typically feature fantastic elements from Norse mythology, Arthurian legend or other literary sources. These are often combined in one setting, the concept album "Atlantis Rising" (2001), for example, features a war between the Æsir and Cthulhu, centered around the city of Atlantis.
"Mystification" (1987) suffered from exceptionally poor production resulting, ironically, from the substandard equipment at a new studio the band hoped would improve their sound. The recent re-release has fixed this problem to a large extent. After Mystification came "Out of the Abyss" (1988), widely criticised at the time for its thrash metal influences. The band released one more album, "The Courts of Chaos" (1992), described by Shelton as "the first true Manilla Road masterpiece" before splitting up because of personal and musical disagreements between Scott Park and Randy Foxe.
In 1992 Mark Shelton recorded "Circus Maximus" with Aaron Brown and Andrew Coss. Despite having never been intended as a Manilla Road project, the album was released under this name at the record company's insistence.
Manilla Road re-formed in 1994 and released "Atlantis Rising" in 2001, again with Mark Shelton as the only original member. On this occasion, however, the sound was much more consistent with the Manilla Road of old and it was the band who decided to continue using the name. Their latest albums are "Spiral Castle" published in 2002, "Gates Of Fire", in 2005, and "Voyager" in 2008. In May 2009 they released their second live album called "After Midnight Live", which was recorded live, on the air, at KMUW radio studios, Wichita, Kansas in December of 1979 shortly before the release of their debut album "Invasion". The album "Playground of the Damned" was released in 2011, followed by "Mysterium" in 2013, "The Blessed Curse" in 2015, and what was their final release, "To Kill a King" in 2017.
Mark "The Shark" Shelton died in Germany from a heart attack at the age of 60. Manilla Road were on tour at the time of Shelton’s death; he had performed at Germany’s Headbangers Open Air Festival the previous night.
Centurian War Games
Manilla Road Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
it's always been so cruel
Deep down inside our hearts
we know it's all for fools
The tribulations of this land
are coarse and deep within
Raise up with all your might
use the power we have to win
For we're centurians in a game of war
fighting for fortune and fame
We're the warriors of a dying race
in the centurian war games
The swords that gleam against the sky
that's red with fires of war
The warriors they fight side by side
till time is nevermore
Let us win our certain fame
in the game that ends all games
We will win our rival name
in the centurian war games
For we're centurians in a game of war
fighting for fortune and fame
We're the warriors of a dying race
in the centurian war games
The time has never simplified
it's always been so cruel
And deep down inside our hearts
we know it's all for fools
The tribulations of this land
are coarse and deep within
Raise up with all your might
use the power we have to win
For we're centurians in a game of war
fighting for fortune and fame
We're the warriors of a dying race
in the centurian
For we're centurians in a game of war
fighting for fortune and fame
We're the warriors of a dying race
in the centurian centurian centurian war games
The lyrics of Manila Road's song Centurian War Games speak of the cruel and unrelenting nature of time, and the tribulations that come with living in a land where war is a constant presence. The chorus declares the singer's identity as a centurian, a warrior fighting for glory and recognition in the midst of the chaos of war. Though the battles are brutal, the singer is determined to use their strength to emerge victorious - not just for themselves, but for the sake of their dying race.
The imagery of the swords gleaming against the sky and the fires of war coloring the landscape is a powerful one, emphasizing the violent and chaotic nature of the world in which the centurians must fight. However, the chorus suggests that despite these hardships, the warriors involved are not simply fighting for survival - they are fighting for something greater. The desire for glory, fame, and recognition as worthy competitors in the centurian war games drives them forward, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Ultimately, the lyrics of Centurian War Games speak to the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a world that can be harsh and unforgiving. The centurians may be fighting for a dying race, but through their strength and determination, they strive for something greater than themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Time has never simplified
Time has always been cruel and unforgiving
it's always been so cruel
It has always been challenging and difficult
Deep down inside our hearts
In our innermost thoughts and feelings
we know it's all for fools
We understand it is pointless and foolish
The tribulations of this land
The struggles and hardships of this place
are coarse and deep within
Are rough and deeply ingrained
Raise up with all your might
Stand up and fight with all your strength
use the power we have to win
Utilize the strength and resources we possess to emerge victorious
For we're centurians in a game of war
We are soldiers fighting in a war
fighting for fortune and fame
Fighting for recognition and success
We're the warriors of a dying race
We are the fighters of a fading group of people
The swords that gleam against the sky
The shining swords raised towards the sky
that's red with fires of war
The sky is red due to the flames of battle
The warriors they fight side by side
The soldiers fight together
till time is nevermore
Until the end of time
Let us win our certain fame
Let us achieve our definitive recognition
in the game that ends all games
In the ultimate contest that determines everything
We will win our rival name
We will emerge as the victorious ones with a respected reputation
in the centurian war games
In the battles fought by the centurians
Contributed by Peyton G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lucas Martinez
This was the song that jumpstarted my love for the band. The atmosphere is absolutely fantastic! Up the hammers!!
Lucas Martinez
Time has never simplified
It's always been so cruel
Deep down inside our hearts
We know it's all for fools
The tribulations of this land
Are coarse and deep within
Rise up with all your might
Use the power we have to win
For we're centurians in a game of war
Fighting for fortune and fame
We're the warriors of a dying race
In the centurian war games
The swords that gleam against the sky
That's red with fires of war
The warriors they fight side by side
Till time is nevermore
Let us win our certain fame
In the game that ends all games
We will win our rival name
In the centurian war games
For we're centurians in a game of war
Fighting for fortune and fame
We're the warriors of a dying race
In the centurian war games
Mark z
RIP Mark Shelton...