Crypt Sermon ~ USA ~ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Epic metal; Doom metal

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Latest: Saturnian Appendices EP (2025). To be release August 8.

UMR review page for Crypt Sermon

6/1/24 (new entry)

Cirith Ungol, USA-California

Epic metal

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Latest album: Dark Parade (2023). To be released Oct 20. According a recent post, the band is calling it quits in 2024. Seems like a great "band as a brand" opportunity. We'll see, I suppose.

---UMR notes

Frost and Fire (1981)

Los Angeles area based Cirith Ungol were treading the same ground as Wichita's Manilla Road back in the late 70s and early 80s. America still didn't have an organized metal scene to speak of, and there were disparate groups throughout looking to find their niche. Cirith Ungol ended up being pioneers in what was later called Epic Metal. At the time, it seemed like an anachronistic throwback to the progressive rock era, but with a severe hard rock edge. While it certainly can be called metal, and I do, the music is based in late 70s hard rock recipes. But with an eye to more sophisticated arrangements and some room for jamming. Tim Baker screams with the best of them, and it's apparent Rush were also an influence back then. Obviously the big names of the day, Judas Priest and Black Sabbath, will also be recognizable here. Today, Frost and Fire has achieved cult status as one of the great early US metal albums. From the artwork to the overall sound, Cirith Ungol were many years ahead of the pack. Unfortunate they couldn't keep up the momentum like the almighty Road did.

6/14/22; 10/12/23 (new entry)

Manilla Road, USA

News: I have been remiss in updating this page. Unfortunately band leader Mark Shelton passed away unexpectedly - after playing a concert in Germany - on July 27th. His presence on the world stage will be greatly missed. Thanks to the artist of the wonderful photo above.

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Location: Wichita, Kansas

Overview: Manilla Road's legacy is now long cemented. Basically they are credited with popularizing, if not inventing, what we now call Epic Metal. My own history with them goes back to while I was still in high school in 1983... so I've got nearly 35 years invested in the band. Not sure there's anyone else with that kind of longevity that has really mattered to me in modern times - well I guess Iron Maiden goes back even further with me - but that's a rare breed. Long ago, a buddy and I even visited Mark Shelton at his house in Wichita in 1991, after he had folded the first phase of the band. He reformed The Road in 2001 with Atlantis Rising and hasn't looked back since. Their second go round has a longer tenure than the first! And they continue to get more progressive as time goes on. Manilla Road are the shining example of how a band should age. If you are only to listen to one Manilla Road album, I highly suggest you seek out The Deluge (1986). All one can say is WOW.

UMR notes

As I first build out this page, I only have a couple of albums covered. But there's more already written, and plenty to come. I own them all!

Hellwell, USA-Kansas ***Disbanded***

News: Hellwell's second album is to be released on April 17, and its titled Behind the Demon's Eyes. And Randy Thrasher Foxe is on the drum kit this time! I didn't see that coming. His work with Manilla Road in the 1980s was astounding.

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With the death of Mark Shelton, it's presumed this band is no more.