In now way can 1988's "Out Of The Abyss" be classified as a typical Manilla Road album. Some say it is the darkest Manilla Road album ever and some are of the opinion that it was the most trash metal influenced record in the band's long and fruitful career. Mark "The Shark" Shelton agrees on both counts: "It was indeed very thrash influenced and most of the topics are based on bloody murder and Cthulhu mythos stuff. I think it was all because "Out Of The Abyss" was the album that we reached sort of a peak in the progression of becoming heavier and faster. The darkness came from my insatiable interest in horror and dark mythos themes. Songs like 'White Chapel', 'Black Cauldron', the title cut and 'Midnight Meat Train' are most assuredly thrash influenced material."
