Out of the dozen bands out there named LEGEND, the  project we're talking about here is Steve Paine's LEGEND. It is a Progressive Rock / Metal act from UK. I don't know whether they're really that "underground", as most people have never heard of them,  but this is the first time I come across them myself.  The album "Spirit" is actually their newest studio effort, and  for a  first encounter, it felt wonderfully sublime.

This record,  fall more into the Rock Opera category, in my opinion, featuring very lengthy epic tracks, several singers, and with an overall homogenous concept, something reminiscent of AYREON's works, still  different though, but  I can't help but point at the resemblance. The elements and influences that can be heard on this album are endless, ranging from the most classic Hard Rock, to the most elaborate Prog-Rock and extends to the epic boundaries of Power Metal.

The opening track "Leap of Faith" got me hooked instantly, a song that starts in a chaotic beauty and flows smoothly yet vigorously for over eleven minutes. "Wood For The Trees" on the more down-right progressive side with a fairly down-to-earth feeling to it. "A Tangled Skein" is one hell of an eighteen-minute masterpiece of an incredibly light flow yet an overwhelming catchiness despite being excessively lengthy. "Spirit" wraps up in beauty with the equally not-so-short "Crossing Of The Ways" and "State Of Grace" that feature a heavier use of keyboards and female vocals making them a little more atmospheric than other tracks.

LEGEND's "Spirit" is an absolute recommended piece. It's a very well-written beautifully-crafted album that makes you wish you've heard about this band much earlier.