The Annoying Frenchman wrote:
traptunderice wrote:
AlexandeR wrote:
MetalStorm wrote:
The Annoying Frenchman wrote:
How did an awful sounding demo with a terrible singer got a 82?
And why is it a major event?
It's an old band. Besides that, I don't know.
It's a classic band. Crystal Logic motherfuckers!
Crystal Logic was 28 years ago, it was my first ever contact with Manilla Road (1984, time flies) and wasn't that great of an album in the first place (trust me, I spinned it more times than a kid nowadays usually does). Actually, I think Open the Gates and The Deluge were better while still plagued with lousy singing and amateurish production... I honestly don't understand the cult status this band has achieved. Granted, they're persistent and, sure, they crafted a few fine songs along the way but nothing that explains their overrated reputation... And certainly nothing that explains why the review of their 2011 faux-demo has been given that high a score and the major event tag.
The score, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. I noted the singing "quality" in my review and low-fi production is almost a "feature" with MR. The Major tag - you gave a reason yourself precisely. These guys have been able to achieve a certain status, which does warrant the tag. As to how this status was achieved, or whether we all agree such status had to be granted - I am sure there will be plenty of arguments both ways here. To create an analogy - I, for one, don't understand what is so great about
Venom and its releases, but that band achieved cult status, and should
Venom reunite as
Venom, not as
Mpire of Evil, the release will have to be labeled Major Event, even if the album is subpar.
In the case of
Playground of the Damned I happened to enjoy the album more so than the last few efforts by
Manilla Road. I thought it had good hooks and strong riffs, despite lacking polished production.
