Lamb of God return to their roots with ‘Legion: XX’

LAMB OF GOD have announced a special covers album!

They maybe one of the biggest bands in modern metal but LAMB OF GOD are returning to their roots by reverting to their previous name BURN THE PRIEST for a new album of covers to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Scheduled for release in May this year, the new album will feature covers of classics by AGNOSTIC FRONT, CRO-MAGS, MINISTRY, MELVINS, QUICKSAND and more!

Speaking about the upcoming album, LAMB OF GOD guitarist Mark Morton says, “to truly understand the essence of the band BURN THE PRIEST, one must first consider the landscape in which it began: the mid-90s. Grunge and alternative music ruled the airwaves. Social media and the internet had yet to assume their role as our collective sources for entertainment and cultural exchange. It was a time when DIY ‘zines turned us onto new bands and regional scenes, and ‘copy and paste’ still implied a print shop and a glue stick. As our sound and songs developed, so did our goals… we began playing basement parties and warehouse shows and in doing so, we realized that the energy we were creating was transferable. The shows we played in those squats and warehouses [in Philadelphia] and the people we met there are forever embedded in our collective consciousness and the DNA of our band. Our inauspicious beginnings somehow grew into something none of us had ever even imagined possible, let alone aspired to, however, this is the story of BURN THE PRIEST. The songs we chose to cover on this album reflect that story. They are touchstones from that point in time. The inspiration we gleaned from these bands and these songs carries through our work and our creative pursuits, even to this day. Many thanks to these bands for lighting our fire and endless gratitude to our fans around the world for keeping it lit.”

Alongside the announcement of the new covers album, the band have released a brand new music video, directed by Travis Shinn, for their cover of THE ACCUSED‘s Inherit The Earth. Speaking about their cover, vocalist Randy Blythe says, “I’ve been an ACCUSED fan since I was 14 when they were on the Thrasher Skate Rock Volume 3 compilation with C.O.C. and all these amazing crossover bands. Their singer Blaine Cook was a huge influence on me, vocally.” Drummer Chris Adler adds, “Inherit The Earth hit me in the face soon after I managed to get my grubby mitts on the album sometime around ‘88. I got the ACCUSED record at a Yellow Banana record store on Route 1 south of DC while in route back from my “counselor” to my home in Woodbridge, Virginia. I got home and grabbed my board and I rocked it on my Discman. At about 2:12 into the tune the clouds parted above me and on a loudspeaker, God bellowed down to me, ‘RECEIVE YOUR PURPOSE.’ That was the moment I knew that if I tried hard enough, I could convey myself and how I felt – with music. It will never be “ours,” and we know that about all the tunes we’ve covered, but hopefully one of them hit you in the face as I had been, and God will part the clouds for you, too.”

Watch the official music video for Inherit The Earth here:

Also, you can view both the track list and artwork for the upcoming covers’ album. Both of which are available to view below:

Track List:

1. Inherit The Earth
(originally performed by THE ACCUSED)
2. Honey Bucket
(originally performed by MELVINS)
3. Kerosene
(originally performed by BIG BLACK)
4. Kill Yourself
(originally performed by S.O.D.)
5. I Against I
(originally performed by BAD BRAINS)
6. Axis Rot
(originally performed by SLIANG LAOS)
7. Jesus Built My Hotrod
(originally performed by MINISTRY)
8. One Voice
(originally performed by AGNOSTIC FRONT)
9. Dine Alone
(originally performed by QUICKSAND)
10. We Gotta Know
(originally performed by CRO-MAGS)
11. In The Meantime *
(originally performed by HELMET) *on vinyl only

Legion: XX is set for release on May 18th via Nuclear Blast Records.

For more information on LAMB OF GOD like their official page on Facebook.