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.
The Fountain
Manilla Road Lyrics
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As my ship rolls over the sea
I've quested so long and I've traveled so far
My treasure, an elusive dream
I've never looked back on the things that I missed
And still, in my heart, I believe
That soon I shall find the fountain of life
Search 'til the end of all time, if I must
I'll never give up my beliefs
Carry the torch, 'til my life turns to dust
Never let go of my dreams
No, I never let go of my dreams
Still, I believe
My destiny drives me to stay on this path
And seek out the fountain of life
I've come so far now, that there's no turning back
I'll find the fountain or die
Through jungles and forests, I've search for the place
That feeds the gods' great tree of life
I'm sure it's the truth, the well spring of youth
Is waiting there, for me to find
Search 'til the end of all time, if I must
I'll never give up my beliefs
Carry the torch, 'til my life turns to dust
Never let go of my dreams
No, I never let go of my dreams
Still, I believe
I'm drawn, like a moth to the light, in the mist
As my ship rolls over the sea
I've quested so long and I've traveled so far
My treasure, an elusive dream
I've never looked back on the things that I missed
And still, in my heart, I believe
That soon, I shall find the fountain of life
Fill my soul with it's sweet mead
Search 'til the end of all time, if I must
I'll never give up my beliefs
Carry the torch, 'til my life turns to dust
Never let go of my dreams
No, I never let go of my dreams
Still, I believe
"The Fountain" by Manilla Road is a song about a quest for eternal life. The singer is searching for the "fountain of life" and believes that it is the key to immortality. He has traveled far and wide in search of this elusive treasure and is willing to search until the end of time. The lyrics suggest that he has faced many obstacles and challenges, but he is determined to persevere. He is drawn to the light, representing hope, and believes that his destiny is to find the fountain or die trying.
The song can be seen as a metaphor for the human search for meaning and purpose in life. Many people seek immortality through their accomplishments, but the singer of the song seeks it through the fountain of life. He is willing to give up everything in order to achieve this goal. The lyrics also suggest that he has never looked back at the things he has missed, showing his commitment to his quest. In the end, the song is about hope and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm drawn, like a moth to the light, in the mist
I'm fascinated by the unknown path ahead of me
As my ship rolls over the sea
As I venture deep into the uncharted sea of life
I've quested so long and I've traveled so far
I've been on a journey for an unknown amount of time and distance
My treasure, an elusive dream
My ultimate goal is intangible and difficult to attain
I've never looked back on the things that I missed
I don't dwell on my past mistakes
And still, in my heart, I believe
I have faith that I will achieve my goals
That soon I shall find the fountain of life
I am determined to discover the source of eternal youth
Fill my soul with its sweet mead
I will find spiritual fulfillment in my quest
Search 'til the end of all time, if I must
I will persevere regardless of how long it takes
I'll never give up my beliefs
I won't compromise my values and principles
Carry the torch, 'til my life turns to dust
I will maintain my passion until my dying day
Never let go of my dreams
I won't relinquish the aspirations that fuel me
No, I never let go of my dreams
I won't falter in my pursuit of my ambition
Still, I believe
My confidence remains unshaken
My destiny drives me to stay on this path
I am compelled to follow this journey
And seek out the fountain of life
My goal is to discover the ultimate source of vitality
Through jungles and forests, I've searched for the place
I've explored different avenues in my pursuit
That feeds the gods' great tree of life
There exists a reservoir of divine energy that sustains life
I'm sure it's the truth, the wellspring of youth
I am convinced of the existence of the source of eternal youth
Is waiting there, for me to find
It is destined for me to discover the source of youth
Contributed by Kaitlyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Gar Chandler
Growing up a metalhead in Wichita KS, Mark was 1st an icon to me. He later became my friend, This is a fine tribute. I still miss him too
Corona de Hierro
Mark is my hero too, although I have never met him personally. I've only chatted with him virtually