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Legend: The Dark Place

Hard Rock/Heavy Metal (NWOBHM)

4.5/5.0

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High Roller Records
by Craig Hartranft,  08.22.2013

The history of England's Legend trace back to 1980 and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM). They released a couple of albums back in the day, but disbanded in 1984. Later, after interest had been generated from an anthology , Legend was reborn in 2003, cut an album, and did some gigs. Another ten years later, the band resurfaces to bring their fourth album, The Dark Place.

Legend: rehearsal.

While the roots of Legend's music may be NWOBHM, there's much more going on within this album. There's certainly the flavor of classic heavy metal. But if placed against modern occurrences, everything about The Dark Place, excepting a few songs, like Paragon for instance, is rather tame stuff.

The music might be better called melodic heavy rock. But there's more. While not being overly technical, there's definitely a progressive component to some of their arrangements, notably on Red, Taste of Life, and Paragon. Then lilting its way throughout the album is an almost doom metal element. Perhaps not straight 'doom' as the songs aren't slow and plodding. But there is a somber, sometimes darker, current here, and stronger in songs like The Dark Place and Halls of the Dead (which seems fitting). Also impressive throughout this album is the guitar work from founder and guitarist Pete Haworth; his style is both traditional rock and metal, but also creative and exhilarating for lead guitar lovers. Finally, the album includes a new recording of Taste Of Life from the band's first album and Questions And Answers from their 1983 demo tape. Fundamentally, The Dark Place is a solid work, good classic melodic heavy rock from a talented band. Let's hope they don't wait another ten years for their next album. Recommended.

Legend - The Dark Place

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With The Dark Place, Legend offers very good classic melodic heavy rock and metal with nuances of the progressive.

Alphabetical Index

eviewing my archives, I was pleased to find that I have had the privilege to review every Lionville since their self-titled debut in 2011. Formed by Stefano Lionetti, a songwriter, singer and guitarist based in ... [ Read More ]