Legion of Darkness, True Pagan Black Metal

Italian Black Metal is always entertaining to me. Italian musicians seem to be more flamboyant. Reminiscing about Opera IX, as they were one rather over the top, but never losing site of the evil side of black metal. Enter LEGION OF DARKNESS, formed in 2001 by vocalist Lord Inferos and guitarist Flagellum. Recording at least five demos since then, LEGION OF DARKNESS has found its place in Italian Black Metal. It strikes me odd that no label has picked up this band yet, as their music is astonishingly good and they are well accomplished musicians.

Starting out with an ominous guitar riff, which changes dramatically picked tremolo style. Lord Inferos’ vocals are over the top. With variations of a traditional black metal scream, which sounds incredibly evil. Then in the middle of a song he’ll break out a strange clean singing voice, and sometimes it seems like a choir, which can sound a bit spooky. I notice there are other instruments involved on this album, such as a mandolin, violin, cello, and flute, which makes for an enchanting enhancement to the music. Adranor holds down the bass, which is played very fluently with plenty of fancy fret work. He also inserts keyboards when the atmosphere of the song calls for it. The drums of Flagellum are banged passionately. Quite a fast drummer, favoring blast beats over the mid pace. The guitars continue their melodic black metal assault, with mystical acoustic parts abundant throughout the three songs. These songs are quite long and have many changes to them. I am getting a rather mystic Mediterranean vibe from LEGION OF DARKNESS. This is different than your standard black metal. Though it has many of the same elements, and it still has the presence of evil. LEGION OF DARKNESS refers to themselves as Pagan Black Metal and that term seems to describe the music of Meridies. This is the kind of music you want to listen to around a bon fire in the forest.

Although I am only treated to three songs from the promo of the EP Meridies. I feel kind of cheated. LEGION OF DARKNESS seem to have a style about them that actually recalls those that came before them in Italian Black Metal… a la Opera IX. If Meridies is any indication to what they can do with a full length album, then any extreme black metal label should be honored to have them on their roster.

REVIEWS ABOUT "MERIDIES"
By Goddess Sioux 7/10	Webzine: NOCTURNAL HALL	Website: http://www.nocturnalhall.com/
Italian Black Metal is always entertaining to me. Italian musicians seem to be more flamboyant. Reminiscing about Opera IX, as they were one rather over the top, but never losing site of the evil side of black metal. Enter LEGION OF DARKNESS, formed in 2001 by vocalist Lord Inferos and guitarist Flagellum. Recording at least five demos since then, LEGION OF DARKNESS has found its place in Italian Black Metal. It strikes me odd that no label has picked up this band yet, as their music is astonishingly good and they are well accomplished musicians. Starting out with an ominous guitar riff, which changes dramatically picked tremolo style. Lord Inferos’ vocals are over the top. With variations of a traditional black metal scream, which sounds incredibly evil. Then in the middle of a song he’ll break out a strange clean singing voice, and sometimes it seems like a choir, which can sound a bit spooky. I notice there are other instruments involved on this album, such as a mandolin, violin, cello, and flute, which makes for an enchanting enhancement to the music. Adranor holds down the bass, which is played very fluently with plenty of fancy fret work. He also inserts keyboards when the atmosphere of the song calls for it. The drums of Flagellum are banged passionately. Quite a fast drummer, favoring blast beats over the mid pace. The guitars continue their melodic black metal assault, with mystical acoustic parts abundant throughout the three songs. These songs are quite long and have many changes to them. I am getting a rather mystic Mediterranean vibe from LEGION OF DARKNESS. This is different than your standard black metal. Though it has many of the same elements, and it still has the presence of evil. LEGION OF DARKNESS refers to themselves as Pagan Black Metal and that term seems to describe the music of Meridies. This is the kind of music you want to listen to around a bon fire in the forest. Although I am only treated to three songs from the promo of the EP Meridies. I feel kind of cheated. LEGION OF DARKNESS seem to have a style about them that actually recalls those that came before them in Italian Black Metal… a la Opera IX. If Meridies is any indication to what they can do with a full length album, then any extreme black metal label should be honored to have them on their roster.