I will need to check where is my wild horse and weapons are, because I may have lost them after the last time that I tuned in to a Metal release of epic proportions. However, whether finding them or not, Metal is first thing from the heart, so I believe that I am good to go. As if the timetable was set to the first half of the 80s, the scenery was all set for the coming of the Finnish LEGIONNAIRE, a fierce foursome act that doesn't seem to care of what is going on around them, unraveling their adoration for the old school Metal reign. After several demos that pretty much gave a good idea of what these guys have are aiming at, the band released their debut "Dawn Of Genesis", signed under the Italian sub-label of Cruz Del Sur Music, Gates Of Hell Records. Be watchful of the Finnish barbarians.

Putting yet another nail in the fact that vintage British Metal is in a glorious comeback, well it has been for the past decade and even more, there is a fine basis created within the halls of "Dawn Of Genesis". LEGIONNAIRE ascertained themselves as no shy for the melodic potion, unleashing a vast series of energetic galloping riffery, as if with no end, masterful twin guitar attacks and proto Speed Metal storms on nearly every corner of their compositions. The massiveness of the Speed meets intense melodies loosely pictured of SATAN and RAVEN but when adding the enticing Medieval atmosphere bestowed, there is a fine touch of the classic BROCAS HELM and slight resemblance of the rather more upbeat prospects of CIRITH UNGOL. Be sure to check out the powerful moments of glory within the pompous "Millennium", featuring one of the most intense atmospheric moments that ripped me to shreds, and the album's main hymn "Black Harbinger", the raven never seemed more of an icon up until listening to this fine tune.

Though I found it easy to be swept away by the melodic prospect of the band, which is hook-laden no less, there were occasions when I felt somewhat lost in the tunes. I was glad that LEGIONNAIRE didn't settle for the basics, took on the assorted manner of the first two IRON MAIDEN albums, putting their trust on the articulate music while doing their best to maintain the material to be song oriented and mainly an epic tale. Nonetheless, on several of the songs, it seemed like a becoming of a little mess, there is a fine start, up until an abrupt ending or a song that loses its context while drowning in the riff sea. Furthermore, though I could find the lower tones of Kim Pedersen, aka King Diamond, or Brian Ross (SATAN / BLITZKRIEG) in his voice, I wasn't all too impressed by Aku Tiensuu's vocal style. Sure it fits the character of a sort of a storyteller, and he does that well, yet with the galvanizing music around him, it is hard not to notice the utmost contrast that doesn't really do the material justice. Lastly, if you are listening to this album with headphones, be sure to lower the volume, especially when the soloing guns start blazing, too much treble, like a saw slowly carving the outer layers of your skull.

My overall perception of "Dawn Of Genesis" is favorable than the opposite. It is still a notable NWOBHM revival album with a good clashing of swords and axes, an ample 80s reminder of a direction in Metal that inhales and vomits melodies in every split second.