Well when you think about Italy the first thing that comes to one's mind is the classic stuff, like cars, food, arts and music, there it goes, when I had the SETTIMAS DRACONIS album "Legio" (translated to "Legion") left on my desk I did not know what to expect. Therefore, I was quite excited to check it out. The first track, also the album's name, "Legio" blasted me away with that grotesque vocals and at the same time keeping it melodic with variations from fast to slow. Instrumentally it is well worked with the classical touches and the violin additions that provide an extra edge to the song and to the whole album, a mix of Death, Gothic Metal and Classical music.

The whole album has around fifty minutes and every track, like the second, "We Are One", has that Italian medieval touch which they are so proud of. As the album kept on running the vibe in my room got amazingly intense. "Crystalline", "Master Of Our Own Destiny", "Poison", they all had me on the edge, witnessing a touch of MY DYING BRIDE and the vibrations of AMORPHIS with a deep guttural vocals, making it all come together. On top of that, there is the thin and soft violin layer in the background. It's just pure magic. If you want something very heavy and dark, check "Raven Hair", which does the trick.

Honestly I am not going to pick any favourite song from this album as I believe that all of them have to be listened to. Erik Vansaren has done an amazing job and an awesome album "Legio", light the candles, pour the red wine in classes, turn the lights off and enjoy a great Italian Death Metal Opera.