{"id":32051,"date":"2013-09-27T06:54:36","date_gmt":"2013-09-27T11:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/?p=32051"},"modified":"2014-02-08T08:37:52","modified_gmt":"2014-02-08T13:37:52","slug":"legion-v-cd-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hardrockhaven.net\/online\/2013\/legion-v-cd-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Legion | V<\/em>"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Joe Mis<\/span>
\n– Senior Columnist —<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"LegionV is the fifth studio release from melodic metal rockers Legion. Despite being fronted by the seemingly boundless energy of Phil Vincent, Legion truly showcases the songwriting skills and massive guitar chops of Vince O\u2019Regan. Edgy melodic metal is the name of the game, and O\u2019Regan and friends deliver.<\/p>\n

Legion brings a good deal of diverse experiences together in a \u201cwhole is greater than the sum of the parts\u201d way. The band consists of vocalist Phil Vincent (solo artist, Tragik, D\u2019Ercole, Circular Logik), guitarist, songwriter and producer Vince O\u2019Regan (Bob Catley), bassist Gav Cooper (Paul Di\u2019Anno\u2019s Battlezone \/ Paul Di\u2019Anno\u2019s Killers), drummer Steve Hopgood (Battlezone \/ Killers, Tank), and keyboard player Irv Parratt (Bob Catley). Each a veteran musician in his own right, the members of Legion work very well together and deliver a melodic metal gem. Phil\u2019s vocals are as solid as always, bringing to mind Don Dokken. O\u2019Regan\u2019s guitar work is outstanding. He lays down impressive rhythm lines and his solos are tight and effective. Vince also handled the album\u2019s production and mixing. Cooper, Hopgood and Parratt form a very tight and consistent rhythm section, seeming comfortable no matter the style of the song.<\/p>\n

The album opens on a high with a very intense \u201cGotta Pay The Price.\u201d This track is all about the guitars \u2013 high speed hooks, catchy rhythms, and a spiraling solo. Vincent\u2019s mutil-layered vocals work well, and the band manages to keep up with O\u2019Regan\u2019s speedy fret work. The raunchy \u201cSatisfy Me\u201d is a bit slower, blending in a bit of glam metal over a pounding bass and drum line before O\u2019Regan unleashes a blistering break. \u201cWho Can You Trust\u201d is a gritty, old school hard rock tune with a neat, flowing chorus and kicky drum line. \u201cEvery Beat Of My Heart\u201d is a slow rocker with a very thick and driving rhythm line, but it almost feels like band is struggling to keep it low key \/ low speed, particularly during the pre-chorus and chorus. O\u2019Regan\u2019s leaping and diving solo on this track is very \u201cGeorge Lynch\u201d sounding.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Regan and company continue their Dokken-esque sound on the dark and moody \u201cHanging By A Thread.\u201d This is a mid-tempo gem with nicely done layered vocals and an awesome drum line. The band softens it touch a bit on the power ballad \u201cTake You Away,\u201d a track that allows Phil Vincent to demonstrate his full vocal range. This is the one track on the album that seems too drawn out, and it would have been stronger if it was a minute or so shorter. \u201cLiving In The Shadows\u201d roars back in with a high energy riff and great teamwork on the bass and drums, while an awesome bass and drum groove drive the hard rocking \u201cNot Fooling Anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Intense guitars are again the driving force behind \u201cHouse Of Cards,\u201d while the keyboards meld nicely with drums and bass to make \u201cLose Yourself\u201d a different sounding track. The latter is quite probably one of the strongest Legion songs to date and almost has a Deep Purple vibe to it. O\u2019Regan\u2019s lead breaks are short but explosive, the best on the album. The old school sound returns on the upbeat \u201cBrand New Day,\u201d a great way to wrap the album.<\/p>\n

While the engineering was solid, there were a few dragging fades outs and overall the mix seemed a bit overdone. Everything was crisp and clear, but it sounded a bit sterile at times.<\/p>\n

V<\/em> is a very strong album, and should appeal to all fans of guitar rock or melodic metal. Fans of Phil Vincent\u2019s music will also be impressed, but should keep in mind that Legion\u2019s music is a little heavier and edgier than his solo stuff. Legion’s V shows Vince O’Regan to be a masterful guitarist and a fine songwriter. <\/p>\n

Genre: Melodic Metal<\/p>\n

Band:
\nPhil Vincent (vocals)
\nVince O\u2019Regan (guitars)
\nGav Cooper (bass)
\nSteve Hopgood (drums)
\nIrv Parratt (keyboards)<\/p>\n

Track Listing:
\n1.\tGotta Pay The Price
\n2.\tSatisfy Me
\n3.\tWho Can You Trust
\n4.\tEvery Beat Of My Heart
\n5.\tHanging By A Thread
\n6.\tTake You Away
\n7.\tLiving In The Shadows
\n8.\tNot Fooling Anyone
\n9.\tHouse Of Cards
\n10.\tLose Yourself
\n11.\tBrand New Day<\/p>\n

Label: Z Records<\/p>\n

Website: www.philvincentbands.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Hardrock Haven rating: 8\/10<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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