Open the Iron Gate: 1973–77

{{Infobox album

| name = Open the Iron Gate: 1973–77

| type = Compilation

| artist = Max Romeo

| cover =Open the Iron Gate 1973–77.jpg

| alt =

| released = June 8, 1999

| recorded = 1973–1977

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Reggae

| length = 54:33

| label = Blood and Fire

| producer = Max Romeo

| prev_title = Selassie I Forever

| prev_year = 1998

| next_title = The Many Moods of Max Romeo

| next_year = 1999

}}

{{Album ratings

| rev1 = Allmusic

| rev1score = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/open-the-iron-gate-1973-1977-mw0000243354 |title=Open the Iron Gate 1973–1977 – Max Romeo: Songs, Reviews, Credits, Awards |author=Don Snowden |work=www.allmusic.com |accessdate=2012-10-31}}

| rev2 = Entertainment Weekly

| rev2score = A−{{cite web |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,272280,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305210000/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,272280,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 5, 2008 |title=Open the Iron Gate 1973–77 Review |author=Rob Brunner |work=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=2012-11-03}}

| rev3 = Reggae Reviews

| rev3score = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |url=http://www.reggae-reviews.com/maxromeo.html |title=Max Romeo |author= |work=www.reggae-reviews.com |accessdate=2012-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113144839/http://www.reggae-reviews.com/maxromeo.html |archive-date=2012-01-13 |url-status=dead }}

}}

Open the Iron Gate: 1973–77 is a reggae compilation album by Max Romeo, released in 1999.

The compilation consists mostly of the material from Romeo's 1975 album Revelation Time, adding four songs recorded between 1973 and 1977: "Every Man Ought to Know", "Valley of Jehosaphat", "Fire Fe the Vatican" and "Melt Away".{{cite web |url=http://www.roots-archives.com/release/1207 |title=Max Romeo – Revelation Time |work=www.roots-archives.com |accessdate=2012-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021032511/http://www.roots-archives.com/release/1207 |archive-date=2007-10-21 |url-status=dead }} The album was listed in the 1999 book The Rough Guide: Reggae: 100 Essential CDs.{{cite book |title=The Rough Guide: Reggae: 100 Essential CDs |first=Steve |last=Barrow |authorlink=Steve Barrow |first2=Peter |last2=Dalton |authorlink2= |publisher=Rough Guides |year=1999 |isbn=1-85828-567-4 |pages= |page= |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/reggae100essenti00barr }} The album includes an essay by Steve Barrow in its liner notes.{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/viewimages?release=553139 |title=Images for Max Romeo – Open The Iron Gate 1973–1977 |work=www.discogs.com |accessdate=2012-11-03}}