What if you were offered a dozen of heavy/power songs that combine the orchestral, progressive arrangements of SAVATAGE and BLIND GUARDIAN, the Teutonic melodic bravado of METALIUM and GAMMA RAY, and the menacing style of later KING DIAMOND and SANCTUARY?
Well, I would advise you to answer AFTER listening to LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT’s new album – the good news is that you don’t really have to wait too long; “Darkness” is coming out soon and it is pure metallic ecstasy!
I have the impression that all of us who have enjoyed both their debut “Sorrow is the Cure” that came out during the pandemic, and even more their sophomore release “Hell” of 2022, have been anxious about the band’s next step. I can firmly say there’s no need to worry anymore! Henning Base (vocals), Jens Faber (guitars and bass) and Philipp Bock (drums) return with their third full-length release in only four years that they exist as a band, being in great shape, staying true to the distinctive sound they play since their beginning but also willing to explore even further soundscapes.
The new album of this amazing German trio is the most symphonic so far, not much less heavy and speedy than their previous work, and still very melodic and interesting in its own dark-tainted prog/power style.
The album starts with “No Control”, a perfect song to include all elements that LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT desire to exhibit in this new release; sharp riffs, magnificent bridges, marvelously executed solos, impressive musical development and incredible vocal performance.
Second track, “Rebirth” is a solid, catchy song with some weird guitar tunes but also magnificent chorus, while “Darkness” is a slower, resembling the characteristic SAVATAGE and CIRCLE II CIRCLE form of grand compositions. “Hate” follows in similar way and that’s what is seems to happen with “One Moment” too but no, THIS IS not yet another good song, this is a real game changer – this is EPIC!
Well-placed right in the middle of the track list, “Another Devil” is a simpler structured song but it offers great doses of speed and power, just before “Let The River Flow” that comes next, a warm, sweet ballad that doesn’t stand out but leads ideally to “Better Men”, another strong track of dramatic climax.
“The Witches Are Burning” is a song in the vein of later SORCERER, doomy and pounding but no match to “Leave Me”, which stands as a harmonious beacon of utter pleasure!
The final original track is “I Don’t See the Light”, and like the opening song, is a perfect summary of what the whole album is all about; in my humble opinion, “Darkness” comes as an epitome of the band’s musical vision: the theatrically progressive expression of power metal!
But no, we are not finished yet! It’s known that LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT always have an ace up their sleeve for the real closing and yes, there’s again a stunning cover of a SAVATAGE song – this time being “Tonight He Grins Again”.
“Oooh, livin’ on the… edge!”
Curtain fall.
“Darkness” will be released on July 12th by Pride & Joy on CD.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre order the CD here.
