The music of Blood Legion comes from the darkest chasms of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Reading up on them before listening to this 3 track promotional release, it is evident that their inspiration is in bands like Cannibal Corpse, Obituary, Slayer, Vital Remains and others of a similar ilk.

This raw and primitive-sounding work is amongst the dirtiest pieces of death metal I have encountered. In fact, as I listened to “God of Lies”, its sludgy progression and a sound which smacks of alienation and “I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks because it’s tough and I’m going to express myself anyway”, I was reminded of early black metal tradition. It certainly has that made-in-the-kitchen feel. I sensed more than a desire to follow old school US metal tradition. I don’t know KL, but this captures the part ofMalaysiathat I know and see – people struggling and working in oppressive heat for little or no reward. This is not theMalaysiathat tourists usually experience. Musically, it’s quite technical and holds together well. “Against the Sun”, the second track, is equally brutal and relentless. It drives forward in that dirty death way but there’s a strong sense of futility as if slaves are being flogged on a punishment ship for no purpose. The third slab “Blood Legion” provides a similarly fuzzy lack of joy, progressing deliberately but through the transferring guitar and drum patterns, adding interest through technical proficiency.

Without question, this short work generates a rancid mood and does it well. I don’t know what the aspirations of Blood Legion are but it’s good that they’re out there. To progress globally, they would need a clearer musical identity of their own and they cannot rely on the quaintness of muddy sound forever. Nevertheless I thought “Blood Legion” was good, and each time I’ve listened to it, I’ve considered it to be a dozen or so minutes well spent.

(7 / 10 Andrew Doherty)

www.myspace.com/bloodlegion666