Mysterium (Manilla Road album)

Mysterium is the seventeenth and final studio album by the American epic heavy metal band Manilla Road. It was released in 2013 on Shadow Kingdom Records.

The album is notable for being written and recorded after the death of long-time Manilla Road bassist Mark "The Shark" Shelton's close friend and collaborator, Bryan Patrick. Shelton dedicated the album to Patrick's memory. Musically, Mysterium continues the band's established style of blending heavy metal with elements of progressive rock, folk metal, and epic storytelling. The lyrical themes explore mortality, existentialism, and philosophical questions about the nature of reality, fitting the album's title. The album features Josh Castillo on bass and Neudi (Andreas Neuderth) on drums, alongside Shelton's guitar and vocal work.

Reception to Mysterium was generally positive, with critics praising Shelton's songwriting and the album's overall atmosphere. Many considered it a fitting capstone to Manilla Road's extensive discography, although some noted its darker and more introspective tone compared to some of their earlier work. The album is considered a testament to Shelton's enduring creativity and his ability to evolve the band's sound while maintaining its core identity.