Author: Rok Klemše
Artist: Burning Legion
Label: Self-released
Released: 2007
When you get your hands on the first EP from Slovenska Bistrica’s young death/thrash metal crew Burning Legion, the first thing that hits you is the incredible cover art, which I’d say is one of the best, most beautiful and most effective covers we’ve seen in this country. The brilliant artwork by Matjaž Goričan (Dweal) is reminiscent of Old Sparky from the film classic The Green Mile, and the whole sleeve design is a real masterpiece, one that plenty of bands around here could take a lesson from.
But the sleeve of the Controlling Existence EP is just the warm-up for what’s waiting once the disc starts spinning. The intro The Arrival announces in epic style that the legion is marching in, military-march style, lighting the fuse, and then comes the explosion with Bringing Salvation. Those first moments are a real kick in the teeth: Burning Legion are the pure definition of an incendiary mix of death metal brutality, thrash dynamics and Swedish-school melody. The Gothenburg metal influences are clear and present, but these days In Flames and their ilk could learn a thing or two from Burning Legion. These guys fire away with triumphant riffs, unbelievable passages, dynamic vocals and metal loaded with colorful drumming. The guitar duo of Matic Mlakar and Matej Müller pull off interesting, killer solos that the Amott brothers (Arch Enemy) wouldn’t be ashamed of, as they prove with the superb guitar duel in the opening Bringing Salvation. And what follows brings no salvation at all, because To End Life grabs you by the throat even harder and puts even more strain on your neck muscles. Burning Legion serve up a varied set of interesting, inventive riffs, placed in just the right spots, which makes the music even more colorful and dynamic. With every guitar line Matic and Matej manage to surprise you and leave you breathless, since they never run out of great ideas and the guitar virtuosity never dries up. Not to mention the melodic passages and harmonies. People, you simply have to hear this! Matic’s vocals are just as varied, ranging from brutal death growls to higher screams, the kind we hear a lot from the likes of Aborted or in the later vocal work of the legendary Chuck Schuldiner. Despite the aggression and rawness, the vocals stay clear and understandable, and at the same time merciless in barking orders at the legion. Another big draw of Burning Legion is the hard-hitting rhythm section, especially the masterful Gorazd Ledinek behind the kit. Aljaž Pečolar’s bass is mostly more or less inaudible, but it nicely fills out the whole sonic spectrum, while the real destructive force hides in the drums. The drumming is fast and precise, technical where it needs to be, and when it’s time to just pound the skins, Gorazd doesn’t hold back. Colorful, inventive drumming packed with dynamic transitions, fast double bass and cymbals, it pulls you right in!
Production-wise, too, this release is a real treat for the ears. Mastermind Matic did such a good job with the production, mixing and mastering that you’d never realize this is a “homemade” EP, and you could easily mistake it for the work of someone like Tue Madsen or Andy Sneap. Based on what I’ve heard, I want a full-length album as soon as possible, one that will leave its own unmistakable mark on the already colorful Slovenian metal scene, just as this EP has managed to do. The legion has already set stages on fire, and now it’s time to do the same to your ears! You can order the Controlling Existence EP at [email protected] or listen to it at www.myspace.com/burninglegion
Lineup
Matic Mlakar – guitar and vocals
Matej Mueller – guitar
Aljaž Pečolar – bass
Gorazd Ledinek – drums
Production
Matic Mlakar
Track list
1. The Arrival
2. Bringing Salvation
3. To End Life
4. Slave to the Curse
5. Controlling Existence
