Here comes another reissue from the band LEGIONED MARCHER who around for an even shorter time than my previous review, forming in 1986 and breaking up only a year later in 1987. The band was formed in Oklahoma, USA from two previous bands at the time with guitarist Everett Levingston and drummer Chris Packhorse coming from METAL HAVEN while bassist Rev Jones, guitarist Ron Phillips and vocalist Bill Dollins came from XEXEUS. After playing alongside their eventual bandmates at a METAL HAVEN show, they started writing and rehearsing together and a month later played their first show. Packhorse had a falling out with the band with Reece Logan filling in on drums for a short time until Everett left to rejoin his old bandmate. They played as a 4-piece for a bit before they were contacted by a couple of guys who roadied for them for an offer to record a demo if the original lineup was built again. They agreed and recorded their first and only 2-track demo in 1987.

Taking their influences from the biggest metal bands of the time - JUDAS PRIEST, DIO, METALLICA, and QUEENSRYCHE to name a few - at 16-20 years old, the band were young and hungry, but inexperienced and low on funds. Even though they recorded the two songs for the demo - "Praise Thunder" and "Under Fire" - well before their studio time was up, didn't have the money to ever record more demos and ultimately, due to ego and friendship, the band fell apart, one by one. What recordings do remain are a live practice tape from when the band was a 4-piece and a live video with 4 ½ songs from their first show in addition to their demo. Now, with this "Praise Thunder" package, the band is remastering their 2-track demo that was recorded at Benson Sound in Oklahoma City and four unreleased live tracks recorded at the The Diamond Ballroom in Oklahoma City, on September 12, 1986.

With releases from Arkeyn Steel Records, re-releases can be hit or miss. While both my reviews for this week are such releases, LEGIONED MARCHER is different than most because I honestly really enjoy much of the material and if it was re-recorded, it could be amazing additions to the thrash/power/heavy metal pantheon. "Praise Thunder" easily rivals anything METALLICA came up with on their debut "Kill 'Em' All" and the 'TALLICA boys were even older and more wizened at the time. The guitar solos on the track are creative, full of flourish with plenty of young, raw talent that I was thankful to hear some of the members were able to continue in the heavy metal world at least for a little while after LEGIONED MARCHER unfortunately called it quits. However, despite another excellent effort at remastering, the raw recording of even the non-live tracks have bass feedback and clipping issues that are hard on the ears. While the live tracks are a bit more listenable for me - even though the audio was most likely pulled from a camcorder video recording. A great pull from these live recordings is the final instrumental track appropriately titled "InstruMetal" showcasing the twin lead work of both Philips and Levington dueling off one another for a glorious six plus minutes.