Part 6 of our Manilla Road Special: We’re glad to present to you the answers of Tucker Thomasson, vocalist and guitarist of epic heavy metal band Throne of Iron from Bloomington, Indiana. Have a good read!

Would you classify Manilla Road as an important source of inspiration for your music?

Tucker Thomasson: Manilla Road is the reason I started Throne Of Iron. Mark’s passing finally inspired me to start writing the music I’d been hearing in my head since I was a teenager and being true to my musical self.

Can you point out a special moment that you experienced with Manilla Road?

The first time I heard the opening lead of «Crystal Logic» was my introduction to Manilla Road. It just felt so raw and powerful, even compared to their contemporaries of the time. I think that, combined with finding Bathory, is what gave me a love of raw album production. 

What makes Manilla Road special in your opinion?

Mark just kept going. He kind of planted a seed in the subconscious of metal bands from the midwest like us that things can happen for you, at any stage of your life or career.

What are your three favourite Manilla Road albums?

1. Crystal Logic
2. Open The Gates
3. The Deluge

What’s the most underrated Manilla Road album in your opinion?

Invasion, by far. It’s such a strong debut that I haven’t heard talked about much in wider metal circles.

What are your five favourite Manilla Road tracks?

1. «Metalstrom»
2. «Crystal Logic»
3. «Open The Gates»
4. «Dreams of Eschaton»
5. «Heavy Metal To The World»

What’s the most underrated Manilla Road track in your opinion?

«Road Of Kings». It’s just an awesome song to drive to!

Which Manilla Road track moves you the most emotionally?

Either «Crystal Logic» or «Dreams Of Eschaton». The former seems like a mission statement and just radiates strength and resoluteness. The latter because it’s just so mournful and somber.

More raw and real sounding production, muscular riffs, no nonsense vocals, and just straight out intensity.

Tucker about the term «epic metal».

What’s your favourite solo/lead played by Mark Shelton?

The doubled up leads in «Crystal Logic»! When I recorded our cover of that song, I just couldn’t wrap my mind around what he was doing, so I had to just kind of go for the feeling he was putting out there rather than the notes.

How would you define the term «epic metal»?

To me, epic metal is supposed to evoke the feeling that Manilla Road kind of set down. More raw and real sounding production, muscular riffs, no nonsense vocals, and just straight out intensity. The lyrics are more straightforward. It’s really hard to quantify, but I think we’re all trying.

Are there any young bands inspired by Manilla Road that you appreciate? 

Ryghär from Texas do an awesome job, for sure. They get the vibe. The same goes for Knight & Gallow.

What do you generally think of Manilla Road‘s legacy and the current epic metal scene?  

I think that we have only just begun to be able to measure their impact on this genre and it’ll only become more apparent as time goes on.