Manalishi were formed in February 2002, by lead guitarist Nathan Moore, recruiting ex band mate Adam Ward on vocals and long time friend Paul Glover on rhythm guitar.
Their first drummer and bass player joined through an audition after replying to an advert. It soon became obvious that they were not up to the job, resulting in the drummer being replaced by Joe Roberts via the bass player, and then the bass player being replaced by Craig Gilroy after the four band members saw him playing with another band. Joe and Craig completed the perfect line-up in December 2002, and have since proved themselves irreplaceable.
The mark 3 Manalishi were re-named Black Manalishi, to reflect the heavier, harder, more powerful sound created by the new line-up.
The word "Manalishi" comes from a Peter Green Fleetwood Mac song called "The Green Manalishi", about the evils of money.

The best way to describe Black Manalishi is an old school, raw, heavy rock outfit, with a funky metal flavour. The bands influences include: Deep Purple, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Rainbow (Guitars), Free, Bad Company, Any Soul (Vocals), Red hot Chilli Peppers, Incubus, Weather Report (Bass guitar) and Slipknot, Blink 182, Dream Theatre, Rush, Pearl Jam, Limp Bizkit (Drums). There really are too many influences to mention, every band member is different, that's why we feel it works so well.