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.
Road of Kings
Manilla Road Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is it your dreams or just the torment of life?
Break away from your anxieties today
Don't ever let them drag you down.
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
What do you see in your minds eye?
Is it the fate of mankind to die?
Do you know or do you want to find the road
Back to the light before the dawn?
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
What did you see behind the line?
Was it really what you expected to find?
On the road you must learn to take is slow,
A King won't rise before his time.
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
Strong we will ve
On the Road of Kings
For what glory it brings us.
The lyrics of Manilla Road’s “Road of Kings” speaks of introspection and overcoming the angst of life. In the first verse, the listener is encouraged to break away from anxieties and never let them drag them down. The second verse asks about the fate of mankind and whether one knows or wants to find the road back to light before the dawn. In the final verse, there is an inquiry about what the listener expected to find, once they crossed the line. The song concludes with a declaration of strength and glory, as the listener travels on the Road of Kings.
Overall, the song seems to be a metaphor for the struggles of life, as one journeys down the road towards their desired destination. It is a call to overcome one's fears and anxieties, to live life fearlessly and to cherish the journey. The “Road of Kings” represents the arduous journey one must take to achieve greatness, be it emotional, spiritual or material.
Line by Line Meaning
What do you see inside your mind?
Asking the listener to introspect and examine their thoughts.
Is it your dreams or just the torment of life?
Questioning whether their thoughts are positive or negative.
Break away from your anxieties today
Encouraging the listener to overcome their worries.
Don't ever let them drag you down.
Urging the listener to stay determined and not be discouraged.
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
Encouraging the pursuit of positive aspirations.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Acknowledging that negative influences may be long-lasting.
Of darker spirits in between.
Referring to negative influences and obstacles that must be overcome.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
Emphasizing the goal of achieving greatness and success.
What do you see in your minds eye?
Continuing to urge the listener to introspect and examine their thoughts.
Is it the fate of mankind to die?
Questioning the nature of existence and mortality.
Do you know or do you want to find the road
Asking whether the listener is aware of, or seeking, a positive path.
Back to the light before the dawn?
Referring to the pursuit of positivity and hope.
What did you see behind the line?
Encouraging reflection on past experiences and choices.
Was it really what you expected to find?
Questioning whether past choices led to the desired outcome.
On the road you must learn to take it slow,
Emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance.
A King won't rise before his time.
Highlighting that success takes time and effort.
Strong we will be
Emphasizing the importance of strength and resilience.
On the Road of Kings
Reiterating the goal of achieving greatness and success.
For what glory it brings us.
Highlighting the positive outcome of achieving success.
Contributed by Daniel B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Salvaje George
What do you see inside your mind?
Is it your dreams or just the torment of life?
Break away from your anxieties today
Don't ever let them drag you down.
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
What do you see in your mind's eye?
Is it the fate of mankind to die?
Do you know or do you want to find the road
Back to the light before the dawn?
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
What did you see behind the line?
Was it really what you expected to find?
On the road you must learn to take is slow,
A King won't rise before his time.
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
Strong we will be
On the Road of Kings
For what glory it brings us.
Zola Fuckass
A couple years ago, I was in a REALLY dark place. Seriously thinking about... doing it.
I reached out to my best friend. He told me that he loved me and that he'd miss me terribly if I "left."
And he sent me this song.
He also sent me a Motörhead song. Won't say the name, but for all of us metalheads who are in a dark place...
They're just a bunch of clowns, don't let 'em grind ya down!
Alex Xela
Lyrics
What do you see inside your mind?
Is it your dreams or just the torment of life?
Break away from your anxieties today
Don't ever let them drag you down.
Chorus
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
2nd verse
What do you see in your minds eye?
Is it the fate of mankind to die?
Do you know or do you want to find the road
Back to the light before the dawn?
Chorus
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
3rd Verse
What did you see behind the line?
Was it really what you expected to find?
On this road you must learn to take it slow,
A King won't rise before his time.
Chorus
Conquer for life inside your dreams.
We'll never outlive all the schemes
Of darker spirits in between.
We're on the road, the Road of Kings.
Sub Chorus
Strong we will be
On the Road of Kings
For what glory it brings us.
MetalJesusRocks
Takes a bit to really "get" this band, but they are a total Hidden Gem
Brandon Munson
Yep! Powerful voice, ancient music coming to life! Fuck, Manilla Road defines Metal in my world!
Spaghetti Western Enthusiast
Great to see you here mate enjoying this great music
Alain Astruc
Took me two minutes! :p
Adrian Åslund
Yeah for example their distinctive cover art might be meant as an homage to the Weird Tales pulp magazines where Lovecraft and Robert. E Howard released their work. And Lovecraftian themes figure heavily in their work. It was considered B-literature schlock in its time and they're both examples of artists that didn't get the recognition they deserved in their lifetimes.
Its just a theory but it would fit Manilla Road's themes quite well.
Ignacio Canales Toledo
@Manny Ruiz I agree, but I still think it is a powerful voice, in an unconventional way, but powerful in the end.
BestWayKilla
Rest in Peace Mark, forever to reign above in Metal Valhalla. Thanks for all the years of keeping it true, and Godspeed into the hereafter!
tatonghudas
@alex lmao who hurt you?
BestWayKilla
@alex Why, is it bothering you? It was me paying my respects to a metal icon. If you don't like it, either don't read it or learn to cope, you little bitch.
alex
Either rest in peace or reign in the Valhalla. I see both of them tough, asshole. Do you realize that the bullshit you say?