LEX LEGION 'Lex Legion'

LEX LEGION
Lex Legion
MNRK Heavy

 There's certain people who are 'Larger Than Life' in heavy music by either personality or image. Sometimes they become bigger than the band that they're in and that can lead to ego clashes, hurt feelings and the demise of the band. ALICE COOPER for example, originally was the name of the band and not just ALICE the solo artist. DAVID LEE ROTH ended up leaving VAN HALEN because of ego clashes and for a while had an amazing backing band and a very successful solo career. And then there's KING DIAMOND. Frontman for the legendary satanic Danish band MERCYFUL FATE. The band dissolved while his solo career took flight. And just like the above mentioned artists, the show becomes all about them and band members cycle through at the whim of the one in charge.
 
  In KING DIAMOND's case, he's had some amazing players throughout his still ongoing career. Take for example Mikkey Dee. Mikkey spent 23 years playing drums for MOTORHEAD. He's spent the last 8 years drumming for SCORPIONS. But his first big break was playing drums for KING DIAMOND's first solo album, 'Fatal Portrait' in 1986. Bass player Hal Patino, who got his start playing in a great Danish band called MALTESE FALCON, started with KING DIAMOND originally in 1988. Guitarist Pete Blakk, who put out a uber rare 7" single with a Swedish band called TRAZER in 1981 started with KING DIAMOND in 1987. Guitarist Andy LaRocque, who unbelievably enough played in a Swedish band called E.F. Band, that moved to England during the height of the NWoBHM and had a song featured on  the legendary 'Metal For Muthas' comp along with IRON MAIDEN, ANGEL WITCH & PRAYING MANTIS in 1980, he started playing for KING DIAMOND in 1985 and still plays with him to this day. A stout pedigree to be sure.

 When you're supporting the face of the franchise as it were, you work on their timeline. Or in some cases, they decide to go in a different direction leaving you holding the bag but not much else. However it goes, this leads to a plethora of sidemen looking for gigs. In this case all the musicians mentioned above decided to reclaim their roots and reform in a new metal collective called LEX LEGION. And not trying to reinvent the wheel, they stuck to their guns and are playing Power Metal in the style and sound they're accustomed to. But obviously without K.D. at the mic, they needed someone to fill those formidable shoes. Enter one Nils K. Rue. While the name might not immediately hit you, the voice may well have blasted through your mind in one of his other bands: his current band PAGAN'S MIND, or possibly EIDOLON when he sang for them.

 As already stated, this band are exceptional players of the highest caliber. Musically, progressive Power Metal are the order of the day. Invariably the question becomes: do they sound like KING DIAMOND? They absolutely do. In fact they may sound a bit better as Nils vocal talent is stronger than King's nowadays. And to be fair, they aren't the only bands to have taken this road. There were two bands who were formed from the other side of MERCYFUL FATE: that being the guitar duo of Michael Denner and Hank Shermann. They too filled their musical void with DENNER/SHERMANN, with vocals supplied by Sean 'The Helldestroyer' Peck of U.S. Power Metal kings CAGE, and also FORCE OF EVIL, which had Hal on bass and Martin Steene of IRON FIRE on vocals. Point being there is obviously a fanatical and dedicated fanbase for this particular style of P.M. And if you're in that legion and are tired of listening to the same albums over and over or tired of waiting for a new release from K.D. then this is right up your alley. If you're not too familiar with him or his satanic original band MERCYFUL FATE, then this is a great starting point. The two music videos released are for "Sleep Eternally" and "Gypsy Tears". Amazing musicians. Epic songwriting. The production is crisp. Great guitar tones. And Nils can do anything vocally in several octaves. All in all a very strong debut. But with this class of musicians, would you expect anything less? And thankfully without the devil-worshipping lyrics. Win/Win. Fave songs: the chainsaw guitar of "(I Am) the Resurrected", the uptempo "Dreams of Darkness" and the ghost of MERCYFUL FATE in "Gypsy Tears".

 And yes Melissa, there is Vinyl. I don't know how limited it is but why wait?? If this sounds like your cuppa blood, grab it now or pay insane prices later.

4.8 Skulls Out Of 5.0