LEGION AND THE THIEVES is a two-man "forward looking Black Metal" band from Pensacola, Florida, influenced by Black Metal, Chiptunes, and Rock that operates with the goal of putting forth unique and accessible musical art. The idea has been around for years. Forestalled by death, life, and incarceration, we finally released our debut album, "Bedlam," in November 2016. Now, they return with "Through Painted Skies," which contains seven new tracks.

"Chased them all away" leads off the album. It's a short, just under three-minutes opening mood setting track. Wind chimes lead to a heavy guitar riff and some dreamy vocals. The sound is mostly electronic, with some nice vocal harmonies. It ends with the soft spatter of rain. "Keeps on Giving" is six minutes in length. It opens with harsh vocals but soft and melodic instruments. In a way, they remind me of the "Dream Thrash" band called ASTRONOID. The clean vocals keep it grounded, because the harsh vocals are intense and angry. The juxtaposition of the two styles is interesting, but the band clearly has talent.

"Seasons in the Sun" is a four-minute track that opens with an easy listening guitar riff and clean vocals. Though the melody continues in the guitar and bass, the harsh vocals take over the song. It's again an odd combination. The music is jovial and fun-loving, while the harsh vocals are angry and raging. "When you don't see me" opens with keys and a lush pop-music feeling. The clean vocals wash over you like a warm day after months of winter. The electronic elements dominate but the song as whole is just so charming and beautiful. "Last Stand" is perhaps where the Black Metal elements come into play. Because the sound here is more of the traditional, but the clean vocals temper the anger in the drums and guitars, and the dreadful harsh vocals.

"Black Dogs" opens with more of those lighter tones. The vocals are almost like THE BEACH BOYS in the soft and dreamy way that they are delivered. This is definitely some of the most unique music I have heard in a while. Then come the harsh vocals. It's almost as if the two competing elements are placed in the same room with a fight to the death. "Burning Times" closes the album. Bubbling with electronica in the opening sequence, a heavy guitar riff develops and the pacing is mid-tempo. The harsh vocals mix in with the clean vocals and it's a free for all. It fades out with bass guitar notes.

"Forward thinking Black Metal" is a stretch. It's more of an amalgam of several different styles of Rock and Metal including ones I have barely delved into. It's singularly unique, meaning that this is something you have not heard before and will probably not hear again. For that reason, it's something all music fans should check out, because the varying styles from one song to the next keep you on your toes for sure. Every once in a while, an album like this will come around, so cherish it when it does.