There hasn’t been a time in metal history when genre boundaries made less of a difference when it comes to bands making new music. It always was silly that we kept certain sounds apart, like it was equivalent to vegetable juice leaking onto your brownie on your sectioned dinner tray. Smashing flavors together made for new metallic possibilities.
Legendarium is the brainchild of Dutch multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Laurence Kerbov, and over the course of the project’s run, there’s hardly been a form of extreme and heavy music he’s shied away from adding to his recipe. On fifth album “For Eternal Glory,” Kerbov and the band (drummer Stefano Vaccari, tin whistle player Jared Archon) launch into the stratosphere again, using power metal as a base and piling all kinds of different influences on top of that. Death metal, punk, pop, and folk all have a part in these 12 songs, and this continues Legendarium’s run of records that on the surface really shouldn’t work, but once it’s presented to you, it’s magical. Try to say you’re not having fun. I fucking dare you.
“A Thousand Swords” has a huge open, guitars racing as Kerbov’s howls rampage, a huge melodic chorus taking the breath from your lungs. The tone is defiant and forceful, the soloing unloading, a burst of Helloween-style histrionics closing the door. “Cloaked in Crimson” has the power gushing, leads in full gallop, cleaner singing coming in, especially over the boisterous chorus. The playing toughens and the vocals get raspier, flexing muscle as the speed hits a high point before burning off. “Nightfall in the Deep Woods” starts with boots crunching through snow and deep breathing before keys enter and bring a wintry shine, the pace then taking off. Vocals mangle as the playing takes a turn toward death metal, the guitar work becoming more fluid, fiery wails following in their wake, then going cold before the footsteps crush ground again. “Tomorrow We Die” opens in chambery synth as gruff howls follow, the playing churning even through a melodic chorus that feeds off folkish roots. It’s a rousing song, one that prepares for battle, one that could be the last, and if so, Kerbov vows, “We’ll all meet again in the great hall in the sky.” “Destiny Awaits” is a quick instrumental interlude built with synth passages, rousing acoustics, and a rustic spirit, leading into the title track that begins engulfed in flames. The playing charges as the vocals punish, a throaty rage working with guitars that overpower. Crazed calls make blood rush as synth layers and glistens, coming to a rousing finish.
“My Life in Your Hands” is where the record takes a stylistic change more toward a punk feel, not surprising considering Legendarium’s back catalog. This track could excite an Alkaline Trio fan, perhaps, as the energy is undeniable, but so is the darkness, Kerbov singing, “Would you put your life in mine?” paying off the electricity and pop power. “Cursed!” follows a similar path, and the guitars are speedy while the vocals mangle, leading the way to a melodic chorus that lures you in. Guitars glow and tear, and when Kerbov wails, “Forever cursed, never whole,” the darkness sets in fully. “Crypt Crusher” has guitars in total command, punk-fueled singing leading the way, and the tempo fully taking off. Guitars chug as the vocals snarl, giving off a dark essence, spooky synth working into the mix, the leads blazing once more to leave everything in ash. Would it surprise you a song called “Dragonriders” is a great adventure? It’s fast and catchy, the vocals punishing as the playing rampages, racing to trample everything in its path. The soloing bursts with color even amid the vocals turning back toward the ugly, stabbing an exclamation point at the end. “Kill Kill Kill” begins powered hard by the drumming, riffs mashing, screams tangling in a synth cloud. The chorus delves back into punk, slickly so, as the keys give off a fog, the guitars letting fires choke out for good. “Through the Endless Night” ends things, driving through heaviness, the singing burning, the chorus rousing and soothing wounds. Thunder continues to strike, the siege of power coming closer to fruition as Kerbov howls, “You’ll die on your throne!” as the track comes to a huge, animated finish that spikes your adrenaline one last time.
“For Eternal Glory” is the type of record that’s varied but art home in its time, a mix of power metal, death, and punk that not only works well together but wouldn’t be as formidable without one of those elements. The fact Legendarium manage to make this record so powerful and fun is another boost, something lost to the decades because at one time, you were supposed to feel alive when digesting heavy metal. This album continues Kerbov’s exploits from the last several years where you lock into the record, lose yourself easily, and come out totally energized on the other side.
By the way, Fiadh releases a ton of good stuff constantly, which is way too much for me to digest and regurgitate intelligently. Check out their Bandcamp (link below). I particularly liked the Morke and Haunter releases, and there’s also a lot of quality dungeon synth for your feasting.
For more on the band, go here: https://www.instagram.com/legendariumband/
To buy the album, go here: https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/album/for-eternal-glory
For more on the label, go here: https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/music
Meat Mead Metal 