The Indian metal scene has been a fast expanding one for the
past decade. Back in 2007-08 Inner Sanctum, a new death/thrash metal band emerged, one that
everyone instantly recognized were a force to be reckoned with. In 2009 the band went on to release their debut EP Provenance, which went on to garner critical acclaim. Fast forward 6 years, after touring Europe, playing with
many reputable international acts, the band has released the follow up to the
acclaimed debut by releasing their first full length album – Legions Awake.
The first question that pops up is, 6 years!? Was the long
wait worth it? A-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y! One spin and one knows that the band has
definitely not spent the time idling away. Instead they have improved their
skillset, polished the songs and released a top notch album! Every single element has been perfected, be it
the sound, the packaging artwork, the lyrics, the production, every single
thing has been given detailed attention.
The album consists of 9 tracks, and clocks in at 40 minutes.
No fillers, just some top notch death/thrash metal through and through, with
just a dash of groove thrown into the mix. The war-cry atmosphere the album
aims for, is felt right from the opener ‘Incipiens’, as the orchestra feels
right out of a war themed fantasy film. This
compliments the lyrics as they deal with the countless wars, the ignorance of
man and the lies thrown around just to satisfy the greed of mankind, as one
leads a life towards an ultimate self-destruction. This theme of annihilation,
comes not only from the lyrics but the music too, with ‘Wake of Destruction’
being an ideal example.
The title track ‘Legions Awake’, brings to front some of the
most memorable melodies on the album, which complements the face-stomping
groove running through the track perfectly. But, the best kept secret of the
album, and also the album’s biggest USP has to be ‘Existence Denied’. The
track, consists of not one but THREE(!!!) guitar solos by some of the biggest
names in the world of death metal, namely Christopher Amott (Armageddon,
Ex-Arch Enemy), Daniel Mongrain (Voivod, Martyr, Ex-Gorguts, Ex- Cryptopsy,
Capharnaum) & James Murphy (Ex- Death, Ex-Testament, Ex-Obituary,
Ex-Lazarus A.D.). That enough, should convince one of the quality on the album.
Overall, Legions Awake is an album that is heavy, groovy and
brutal from start to end. One spin, and you are bound to find yourself wide
awake, stomping through everything, leaving behind nothing except a trail of total
destruction. You are now a part of the legion and the gates of hell lie wide
open ahead.
“The crooked path hails, to the depth of hellish gates!”
