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 Ăsir 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 Sheltonâs death; he had performed at Germanyâs Headbangers Open Air Festival the previous night.
Dig Me No Grave
Manilla Road Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Born and bred to survive
I may not be at the top
But still it's good to be alive
Feeling the flow of the chops
Whether be music or flesh
This is where sanity stops
But don't dig a grave for me yet
I was a rocker from the birth
A ocker I'll be till I die
Scorching the face of the earth
Bringing the music to life
Flying on high like a bird
Nothing can ever shoot down
Metal is dead so I've heard
But no while I'm still above ground
So dig me no grave
This is the dream of my life
This is the life of my dream
It's a hard road to survive
But nothing comes easy or free
Seems to be so little time
Yet life is an eternity
I haven't made my last rhyme
So keep your damn dirt off of me
Dig me no grave
In "Dig Me No Grave," Manilla Road shares their philosophy on life and music. The opening lines "Here I stand like the rock / Born and bred to survive" portrays their determination and resilience, saying that they may not be at the top, but they're happy to be alive. The song goes on to express how music is their life and how they are dedicated to their craft, describing it with the line "Feeling the flow of the chops / Whether be music or flesh." The chorus delivers a blunt message, saying "Dig me no grave / I haven't made my last rhyme / So keep your damn dirt off of me."
The lyrics also speak of Manilla Road's commitment to heavy metal, their dedication to being a part of the genre and continuing to perform despite metal's supposed death. The line "Metal is dead so I've heard / But not while I'm still above ground" reveals their defiance towards the notion that metal is dying out. They're determined to continue playing and creating their music and don't want anyone to write them off just yet.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I stand like the rock
I'm strong and unwavering, unshaken by any challenge
Born and bred to survive
I have endured everything that life has thrown at me
I may not be at the top
I may not be the most successful, but I am content with where I am
But still it's good to be alive
I'm grateful for every moment of life that I have, regardless of my position
Feeling the flow of the chops
I'm experiencing the music or whatever else that comes my way with great passion and sensitivity
Whether be music or flesh
Whether I'm playing music or just living my life, I am fully engaged in the moment
This is where sanity stops
My intense focus on the present moment may appear insane to others
But don't dig a grave for me yet
I'm not ready to give up on life or my dreams
I was a rocker from the birth
I was born to play rock music
A ocker I'll be till I die
I'll always be a rocker, regardless of my age or circumstances
Scorching the face of the earth
I'm making a lasting impact on the world through my music
Bringing the music to life
Through my performances, the music comes alive in a way that transcends words
Flying on high like a bird
I'm free and uninhibited in my expression, like a bird soaring through the air
Nothing can ever shoot down
No one can extinguish my passion or spirit
Metal is dead so I've heard
Some may say that metal music is no longer relevant or popular
But no while I'm still above ground
But as long as I'm alive and playing, metal music is still alive and relevant
This is the dream of my life
Playing music and living a life that's true to myself and my passions is my ultimate goal
This is the life of my dream
My life is a vivid reflection of my deepest desires and aspirations
It's a hard road to survive
Living my dream isn't easy, but I'm willing to fight for it every day
But nothing comes easy or free
I understand that hard work and perseverance are necessary to achieve my goals
Seems to be so little time
Life is short, and I want to make the most of every moment
Yet life is an eternity
While life is fleeting, the memories and impact I make can last forever
I haven't made my last rhyme
I still have more music and creativity left in me
So keep your damn dirt off of me
I'm not ready to be buried or forgotten, and I won't let anyone bury my dreams
Dig me no grave
I'm alive and well, and I won't let anyone or anything stop me from pursuing my dreams
Lyrics Š O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nonseinormale
May you rest in peace Mark...you reached the Valhalla today!!!
Here I stand like the rock
Born and bred to survive
I may not be at the top
But still it's good to be alive
Feeling the flow of the chops
Whether be music or flesh
This is where sanity stops
But don't dig a grave for me yet
Dig me no grave
I was a rocker from the birth
A rocker I'll be till I die
Scorching the face of the earth
Bringing the music to life
Flying on high like a bird
Nothing can ever shoot down
Metal is dead so I've heard
But no while I'm still above ground
So dig me no grave
This is the dream of my life
This is the life of my dream
It's a hard road to survive
But nothing comes easy or free
Seems to be so little time
Yet life is an eternity
I haven't made my last rhyme
So keep your damn dirt off of me
Nonseinormale
May you rest in peace Mark...you reached the Valhalla today!!!
Here I stand like the rock
Born and bred to survive
I may not be at the top
But still it's good to be alive
Feeling the flow of the chops
Whether be music or flesh
This is where sanity stops
But don't dig a grave for me yet
Dig me no grave
I was a rocker from the birth
A rocker I'll be till I die
Scorching the face of the earth
Bringing the music to life
Flying on high like a bird
Nothing can ever shoot down
Metal is dead so I've heard
But no while I'm still above ground
So dig me no grave
This is the dream of my life
This is the life of my dream
It's a hard road to survive
But nothing comes easy or free
Seems to be so little time
Yet life is an eternity
I haven't made my last rhyme
So keep your damn dirt off of me
Kenneth Taylor
it blows my mind that I've been a thrash fan for 26 years, living in Kansas for most of that time, and never heard of Manilla Road until I read an interview with a Polish band called Crystal Viper that cited them as their main influence.
NavarĂ´th Ravenheart
Crystal Viper is weak, better check on Evangelist, Boltcrown or Miecz Wikinga. If you need quality metal from Poland.
Manny Ruiz
And it seems that whenever I get into a band or artist someone important always dies. So Ill never get to see this group. RIP Shark.
Thijs
It's sad how they've never gotten the recognition they deserve. These guys are absolute legends.
I Ate The Anarchist
Such a killer song from such a killer record! \m/ UP THE HAMMERS!
The Hermit
Brutal! Great Band!
FunerealObsession
How eerily predictive this song is in retrospect. Hailing you from this mortal coil, Mark.
FrankinChicken B
I just realized you were the one I was talking with on Yellow Fever on NWOTHM channel. LOL>
FrankinChicken B
No shit. I am at a loss man. Very fucking sad day in metal :( unique and unreplaceable.