LEX LEGION is a very, very unusual kind of animal. At this point it’s hard to predict if it’s going to be a regular band, or just a side project, but either way – let’s be honest, the same titled album they just released, is absolutely phenomenal. LEX LEGION brings together the four legendary members of the classic KING DIAMOND band line-up: Andy LaRocque, who rather needs no special introduction (and who, in my personal opinion is one of the greatest and most underrated guitarists that ever walked the earth), Pete Blakk who played guitar on “Them”, “Conspiracy” and “The Eye”, Mikkey Dee, who except playing on all KING DIAMOND albums until 1990, obviously played drums for MOTOÖRHEAD and SCORPIONS, and Hal Patino, who played bass on KING DIAMOND’s “Them”, “Conspiracy” and “The Eye”, and later returned and played on “Abigail II”, “The Puppet Master” and “Give Me Your Soul… Please”. The line-up is completed by the PAGAN’S MIND vocalist, Nils K. Rue. While the name LEX LEGION sounds kind of badass and epic, I have a small problem with understanding why they decided to use that not-so-good photo collage for the cover artwork, as it doesn’t really match the atmosphere and vibe of the album. The music on the album is quite dark, spooky and heavy, while the front cover artwork suggests it’s some kind of classic Rock release? I always pay attention to front cover artworks, as I belong to the generation that discovered many albums only because the particular graphic caught my attention, but hey, let the music do the talking. And this is something absolutely superb over here. A new KING DIAMOND album is still not arriving, and actually, what we hear on the “Lex Legion” longplay, sounds like… a new KING DIAMOND album. It surely has own identity, but it’s super easy to imagine that it’s King singing those songs, and then it all makes even more sense. Don’t get me wrong: Nils is a bloody brilliant singer, but these songs do sound like written by the classic KING DIAMOND (band) line-up. They have similar structures, melodies and overall atmosphere, which made us love all those legendary albums such as “Abigail”, “Them”, “Conspiracy” or “The Eye”. And all those details: the classic drum patterns (that ride cymbal!), riffs, solos, even the vocal harmonies. All of this with modern and very powerful production, which thankfully isn’t too sterile. I’m glad this album has been recorded and released, and I know I will listen to it many, many times. And it’s up to you if you will label it as this unusual “KING DIAMOND album without King Diamond”, or if it’s going to be a standalone release in your collection. Either way, the album is absolutely fantastic, and I’m sure it’s going to land on many “best Heavy Metal album of the year” lists. More info: www.facebook.com/officiallexlegion, www.facebook.com/mnrkheavy