You know what I am absolutely convinced about? Metal will always exist.
Proper heavy metal. The Maiden, Priest and Saxon kind. None of this “core” this or “blackened” that. Proper, honest-to-goodness, fists-in-the-air, patches-on-the-jacket heavy metal will never die. Ever.
If the day comes when the riffs stop ringing out and the double-kick drums fall silent, then frankly, we have bigger problems than music.
The reason for saying this is Lex Legion. To listen to their opening song “Sleep Eternally” is to hear an absolute masterclass in how to do classic metal without ever sounding dated.
And the rest of the album is the same.
You will not be surprised to learn that these boys are lifers. Comprising four-fifths of the classic late-1980s King Diamond line-up — Mikkey Dee, Pete Blakk, Andy La Rocque and Hal Patino — and infused with the jaw-dropping vocals of Nils K. Rue from Pagan’s Mind, Lex Legion also boasts Motörhead, Scorpions and Death on its collective CV.
Basically, they are good. They know they are good. And they are more than happy to prove it here over nine songs. Yes, nine. Like the classic metal album it is.
“Gypsy Tears” is a perfect vehicle for Rue, all sacred keys and mystical portent, while he never misses a high note. The guitar work is equally sensational, and the twin leads allied to the slightly ominous chug of “When The Stars Align” are phenomenal.
Over and above all that, though, is Dee and that ferocious double kick. There are drummers who play heavy metal, and then there are drummers who sound like they were forged for it. Dee is very much the latter.
“(I Am) The Resurrected” appears to want to bring Beelzebub himself to life, while “Lost Inside” is more than happy to have a gallop around. “Dreams Of Darkness” likes the idea so much it has one as well, and in fairness, this one edges it by a nose.
What is striking, though, is that although you might think you have heard all this before, none of the selections here sound tired or trapped in the past. Instead, like Priest’s “Saviours,” they crackle with modern energy. Rue is so good across all of it, but particularly on “Life Eternal,” and given that I saw him with Pagan’s Mind and know he is this good live too, I rather hope next year’s possible live shows happen.
They just need the Scorpions to stop touring for a bit so Dee has time.
The acoustics come out for the instrumental closer “Far Away” before it builds so beautifully. You can think of it, perhaps, as a chance for the credits to roll and to gather your thoughts.
And when you do, honestly, you will realise this: modern takes on classic heavy metal do not get much better than “Lex Legion.”
RATING: 9/10
