Band: Legion Of The Damned
Title: Cult Of The Dead
Label: Massacre Records
Distribution: Suburban
Release date: December 2008
Review: CD

I have to admit that I do appreciate Legion Of The Damned a lot. That was the case when they were still called Occult, and right now it’s still the case. Every former album belongs to my favourite Thrash-albums that very same year (Malevolent Rapture, 2006; Sons Of The Jackal, 2007; and Feel The Blade, 2008) and this partly may be unveiled by the monstrous line-up. A collection of great musicians doesn’t always result in great compositions, yet in this case it certainly is! Maurice Swinkels (Bestial Summoning), Erik Fleuren, Richard Ebisch (ex-Inhume) and Harold Gielen (Mangled, Charlie Adler, Inhume, Disgorge) did record this fourth full length again with Andy Classen, whose collaboration created the raw and deep-dark yet splendid and overwhelming sound. As it has always been the case, even during the Occult-period, this deadly and aggressive form of old school-inspired Thrash Metal is extremely heavy and oppressing. Every single track exhales an atmosphere of intelligent bruteness, and the slow, beating tempo fits well to the gargantuan compositions. The hymns are merciless and vicious, but with the necessary deepness and a punctual performance. For fans of Necrodeath, Kreator, Sodom, Possessed, Dark Angel, Slayer, early Pestilence and so on. Total running time: 41:36 minutes.

92/100

Ivan Tibos.