ALBUM REVIEW: Slaves Of The Shadow Realm – Legion Of The Damned

Though often overlooked in favour of their German or Scandinavian neighbours, the Netherlands has a metal scene that is certainly not to be sniffed at. The country has produced a number of big names in the underground, with the likes of PESTILENCE and GOD DETHRONED calling the Dutch flatlands home, alongside the ever-impressive LEGION OF THE DAMNED. Originally formed in 1992 under the pseudonym OCCULT, the quartet released five full-lengths and a slew of demos, harnessing a blackened thrash sound not too dissimilar to the early works of SODOM. However, in 2005, OCCULT gave way to LEGION OF THE DAMNED, and with the name change came a step towards a more crushing, death metal orientated sound. 14 years after the name-change, and 27 after their formation, LEGION OF THE DAMNED are back with their seventh record under this moniker; Slaves Of The Shadow Realm.

Slaves Of The Shadow Realm comes after a five-year release gap – a period of studio inactivity unheard of for LEGION OF THE DAMNED. With the exception of 2012, LEGION OF THE DAMNED had a new release every year between their evolution from OCCULT to 2014’s Ravenous Plague – if not a new album, then a compilation, live record, or split release. Even a cursory listen to Slaves Of The Shadow Realm shows that the gap was well-earned, and that LEGION OF THE DAMNED are back with a vengeance.

Though LEGION OF THE DAMNED‘s sound is well and truly rooted in a distinctly European brand of death metal, the Germanic, blackened thrash style they harnessed in the OCCULT era of the band is still ever-present. The likes of Nocturnal Commando, Palace Of Sin and Azazel’s Crown blaze along with a tempo and ferocity distinctly reminiscent of early DESTRUCTION, while Warhounds Of Hades and Priest Hunt have more of a crushing stomp than an eviscerating viciousness, but still maintain that Germanic thrash sound. Black Banners In Flames sees LEGION OF THE DAMNED at their thrashiest – hooky, fast and fun, the rager is one of the album’s highlight moments. Throughout Slaves Of The Shadow Realm, the vocals of Maurice Swinkels adds to the Teutonic vibe, with the classically German raspy snarl adding a level of clarity to his death growls.

Though their is plenty of thrashy moments to dig into across Slaves Of The Shadow Realm, LEGION OF THE DAMNED are still very firmly a part of the death metal scene. The Widow’s Breed perfectly embodies LEGION OF THE DAMNED‘s sound: equal parts ferocious, Germanic-influenced thrash and utterly crushing death metal. Slaves Of The Southern Cross sees the band stray into a sound far more rooted in death metal, keeping the stomping groove and injecting a down-tempo, crowd-pleaser chorus for good measure before ramping up the speed in the latter half of the track. A beautiful piano-led intro leads into another of Slaves Of The Shadow Realm‘s strongest songs – Shadow Realm Of The Demonic Mind. Driven forward with a galloping selection of riffs, the song dances between the thrashy and death metal elements of LEGION OF THE DAMNED‘s sound with ease.

With Slaves Of The Shadow Realm, LEGION OF THE DAMNED have delivered a strong continuation of their brand of death-thrash. Maintaining the crushing death metal ferocity they are known for, we also see the Dutch metallers at their most thrashy, elements of a distinctly Teutonic-sounding brand of thrash are dripping throughout, ramping up the viciousness and intensity on an already heavy record. Though this is very much a tried and tested formula for LEGION OF THE DAMNED, and doesn’t really bring anything new to the table, when the execution is this good the lack of innovation makes no odds.

Rating: 8/10

Slaves Of The Shadow Realm is out now via Napalm Records. 

Like LEGION OF THE DAMNED on Facebook.