This recording of BATTALION is a release of their “Evil Legions” demo from 1987. The band hails from Kortrijk, in Flanders, Belgium, and what you hear during these four songs is their brand of Thrash Metal. BATTALION actually only existed from 1985 until 1988, and except for this demo they also released an earlier demo in 1986, simply called “Battalion”. Like you would expect from a demo that was recorded in the second part of the eighties, the sound is a bit dull. Now I do know that the record company METAL WARRIOR RECORDS always tries to clean up and enhance the sound here possible. So I can only guess that the recordings they had to work with were a lot shadier than the result that I am listening to right now.

I don’t know why, but I am actually enjoying “Evil Legions”, as it gives me an insight as to what I missed back then. Thrash Metal with a touch of Hardcore and some strong guitar playing. Not too fast, more midtempo than you might have expected, with the occasional acceleration where it is needed. And I have to say that every song in itself has their individual qualities, making them very distinguishable from each other. The fastest of the lot is “Coming Out”, which has bait of a MUCKY PUP feel to it.

That feeling is something you will experience more every time the band put their foot down. As for the other songs, “Deliverer” is trying very hard to fit into the “South Of Heaven” (SLAYER) atmosphere, and doing quite a good job at succeeding. “Highway Livin’” has even more of an Old School feel to it, as it is a cross between Heavy and Thrash Metal, again with the Hardcore influences. The repetitive repetition of the title must have made this a favourite during live concerts. The most impressive song on “Evil Legions” is the third song “Nightmares”, as it adds a horror element to the Thrashy Hardcore Metal that BATTALION is playing for us.

All put together I have to conclude that “Evil Legions” was and is a rather nice demo by BATTALION, and very deserving of a rerelease. So, I can only thank the record company METAL WARRIOR RECORDS for taking the chance of doing so. For those who are interested, be daring, take a chance on BATTALION in general and especially “Evil Legions”. I have a feeling that if what I described of their music is within your taste, you could be enjoying 12:41 minutes of good music.