Open the Gates

About Open the Gates

Open the Gates is the fourth album by American heavy metal band Manilla Road. It was released in 1985 on the Black Dragon record label, rather than the band's own label, Roadster Records, which they had used on their previous releases. The album is heavier than earlier material in part due to the departure of drummer Rick Fisher (who assisted with the production) and his replacement by Randy Foxe. The space rock elements of the band's sound were also superseded by more fantasy themes and a greater epic sensibility. Many of the songs are inspired by the Arthurian legends of Tennyson's Idylls of the King, others by R. B. Anderson's original translation of Norse mythology. The song "Astronomica" is based on the work by Marcus Manilius. The cover art is by Eric Larnoy. more »