LEGEND PART III:I

As Legend III:II, the last part of Saviour Machine's apocalyptic Legend series has been on the ice for many years and is unfortunately most likely to remain there, it seems Part III:I will have to serve as a finale to the series. Is it a satisfying, mind-expanding continuation to the brilliance that is parts I and II? Well, not really, to be honest. Is it just a very good album? Oh, indeed it is. It is actually better not to compare III:I to I and II, as it is a bit different in many ways. The numerous atmospheric background tracks that gave the first two albums their unique and deep sound are almost gone. The guitars sound heavier and edgier, which sometimes works pretty nicely (the headbanger Revelation 13, for example) but sometimes they tend to be a bit of an unnecessary distraction. There is also some additional choirwork added, which even though blamed to be too out of tune (and some places it is) serves well in my opinion to bring the album a ghastly, decisive kind of feeling. The deep baritone voice of Eric Clayton is as stunning and epic as always, and the compositions are fine and well focused with some necessary reprises of previous albums. Storywise it doesn't get any more epic than this (trying not to use the word "epic" more than once while writing a Legend review seems to be an impossible task..), as Lucifer releases his true power and identity, angels blow their trumpets to bring the final plagues upon the Earth and the end of the age draws near. I'm still waiting for a miracle, to see this amazing album series coming to a satisfying conclusion.