THE LEGION „Revocation”

Music: Black Metal
Country: Sweden
Website: http://www.legion.nu
Duration: 46.00
Cool Songs: Bloodgate, Grotesque Savior, Annihilation Chaos, Virtue of Sin

IT all depends where you’re coming from I guess, but for me the absolute best thing about ‘The legion’s’ second album is the gloriously conceived artwork from Kris Verwimp. It’s rather sad hey? Here is a rather new Swedish Black Metal band – put together by none other than Marduk’s drummer ‘Emil Drautinovic’ and the most interesting thing I can find about it is the cover art; that and their tremendous spiky logo. The tradition continues…

It’s not The Legion’s fault really, considering the current state of hyper-blasting black metal – progression was never going to be its strength in the end. So perhaps we dispense with what we actually wanted ‘Revocation’ to sound like. With Marduk’s drummer on board and the involvement of former members of underground extremo’s like Enthral, Crest of Darkness and Sargatanas Reign ‘The Legion’ was never going to be ANYTHING BUT what you expected – fast, furious, violent melodic driven Swedish black metal.

It was a given hey? And granted, it’s all very nice, superbly conceived and delivered with absolute honesty and conviction. Hard to fault anything there – Hell, the band were even at pains in NOT resorting to relentless, inane blasting speed just for the sake of it; just because they could. No, this mob (who sound like a more refined version of Dark Funeral than anything else) have ensured that moments of variation are included – a mid tempo part here, a thrash part, even a nod to the old school death metal tradition is thrown in. Props the lads no question – but in the end should they have bothered?

For all their willingness and obvious thought towards providing something a little less ‘Marduk et.al’ homage, The Legion actually sound a little muted. There just seems to be a distinct lack of fire and energy on ‘Revocation’. I might be a little off base, but this albums seems to hold back for some reason. Call it ‘safe’ if you like.

Having said that I do like the slower ‘epic’ moments of ‘Bloodgate – but other than that, this whole album just passes me by without making a solid impression on my psyche. Again, it all gets back to the song writing ability and coming up with captivating, memorable riffs. Sadly – and as competent as this disc sounds – ‘Revocation’ lacks in these essential qualities. And that is the bottom line!

note: 6

Tracklist

Grotesque Savior
Virtue Of Sin
Annihilation Chaos
Horror Vacui
Impious Gathering
Bloodgate
Deadlight Afterglow
Carnal Harvest
Nocturnal Apparation

Line-up

Line Up:
D. Svartz – Guitar
E. Dragutinovic – Drums
K. Hektoen – Vocals
R. Kottelin – Guitar