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NIGHT LEGION
Fight Or Fall
2023 Massacre Records

Sydney, Australia's NIGHT LEGION have raised their game and followed up their self-titled debut with an absolutely killer new album titled Fight or Fall. There have been a few lineup changes since the debut album. New singer Louie Gorgievski (ARKENSTONE) takes this band to a whole new level, while the addition of guitarist Col Higginson adds another sonic layer and bolsters the band's sound. Guitarist Stu Marshall, bassist Glenn Williams and drummer Clay Tchaklaian remain to make this a formidable battalion in the studio and on the stage.

Opening track and first single released, "The Hounds of Baskerville" (lyric video HERE) is inspired by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's similarly-titled Sherlock Holmes story. Stu's razor-sharp riffs and outstanding solo and Clay's driven double bass drums assault the listener, all while Louie wields his operatic voice like a weapon. The interlude section works well here to create drama in the story. Bass on the song was contributed by Mike LePond (SYMPHONY X). "Babylon Burns" is aggressive right from the onset. This is an instant classic full of soaring vocals and double bass drumming. "Soaring Into The Black" is a speed metal anthem to be enjoyed at maximum volume. Louie's overlapping vocals at the end are very cool. Title track "Fight or Fall" has a cool IRON MAIDEN-style intro, but quickly evolves into a mid-tempo stomp and call to arms. Stu's solo is impressive here as well.

"At World's End" is quite melodic and provides a warning about mankind's tendency towards self-destruction. "Beyond The Crimson Dawn", a song about soldiers and war, is probably the fastest song on the album. I really love this song. "Harvest of Sin" has arguably the best chorus on the album, while the structure of "The Enemy" is perfect in the way it flows from verse to bridge to chorus. The album closes with the longest track, "The Hand of Death", which is the most epic song on the album. Louie unleashes the full power of his voice on this track.

Truthfully, Fight or Fall is a dark album. Many of the songs center on death, war and the darker side of human nature. But it's not a depressing listen at all, because the songs are so powerful and performed with such an irrefutable energy by these metal veterans. Stu Marshall in particular is a brilliant songwriter, whose work ethic rivals anyone I can think of. Do yourself a favor and check out this band and this album, because true heavy metal will never die, NIGHT LEGION has made sure of that! Fight or Fall has nine songs, (all killer-no filler!) and will be released on June 30th by Massacre Records. You can pre-order the CD, as well as red or black vinyl at this LINK.

5.0 Out Of 5.0