Legion of the Damned - Ravenous Plague
Napalm Records
Thrash Metal
11 songs (45'01'')
Release year: 2014
Napalm Records
Reviewed by Jared

Coming to a rapid end for 2013, the only real thrash record I found myself enjoying came about with Hatriot’s debut album Heroes of Origin. It was a fantastic record, but I was the only thrash album I had the opportunity to get to review this year. Fortunately for 2014, I am starting on a different foot, and this time with the newest offering from Legion of the Damned, entitled Ravenous Plague. After the fall of the band Occult, Legion of the Damned was formed in 2004 and has released a record almost consistently every year since 2006. Overall they are solid thrash band hailing from the Netherlands. Their music contains heavy monstrous riffs that are never afraid to jump into more intense rapid speed, and contain themes that dwell on the occult and apocalyptic chaos. Their newest offering, Ravenous Plague, is a forceful piece of metal that doesn’t seem to slow down for much.

The Apocalyptic Surge opens up the album with a short minute and a half symphonic piece that more than applies the band’s chaotic, world ending themes appropriately. The album explodes in the second track, Howling for Armageddon, with thumping double bass, and quick tremolo picking from the guitars and bass. What I like most about this album is its moments of quick thrash metal power, but its ability to slow down a bit and to become one seriously heavy as hell piece of music. Black Baron keeps the strength alive, driving at being a completely destructive force with a nasty attitude that easily kept my focus right from the start.

The gravity of some songs can be literally neck snapping, and just down right catchy. Mountain Wolves under a Crescent Moon was quite possibly the one most enjoyable track for me, due its thunderously heavy riffing, and one blistering great solo. However for a thrash album, its very riff driven, and I didn’t recall as much soloing as I would expect. It’s not a bad thing for the album even though I wished I could have heard more. When it came down to the end, it didn’t bother me very much because the album kept unfolding one solid track right after another.

The riffing becomes darker sounding with the track Doom Priest. The heavy galloping riffs break down nicely into an almost creepy tone with a nice lead sound in between the chugging pattern. Bury Me in a Nameless Grave, yet another fantastic track, contains some heavyweight riffing to open things up. It still latches onto the relentless speed and aggression as it continues through the track, and obliterates the ear as it gains some serious momentum towards the end.

Overall Legion of the Damned keeps things extremely heavy and enjoyable with Ravenous Plague. It’s a worthy thrash album that kept me entertained and it even provoked me to pick up and start plucking at my guitar for the first time during my break from school. I may have been expecting more solos here and there, but this album is malicious, wrathfully heavy, and one damn solid piece of thrash metal.

Killing Songs :
Howling for Armageddon, Black Baron, Mountain Wolves Under a Crescent Moon, Doom Priest, Bury Me in a Nameless Grave
Jared quoted 85 / 100
Other albums by Legion of the Damned that we have reviewed:
Legion of the Damned - Feel The Blade reviewed by Crims and quoted 74 / 100
Legion of the Damned - Malevolent Rapture reviewed by Al and quoted 72 / 100
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