Hailing from the land of Power Metal as the beating heart, and with their acclaimed debut release "Sorrow is the Cure" tightly under their belts, it was only a matter of time for brawny German Heavy Metal trio LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT to bound in with another powerful and dramatic full-length. With the blustery winds of SAVATAGE blowing through their manes, with the attitude of ACCEPT and melodic prowess of HELLOWEEN, LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT have created a colossal addition to their 80's-infused Heavy Metal, with battalion-strength riffs, muscular melodies, and gargantuan vocals fuelling this hungry metallic beast. The epic twelve-track, hour long full-length "Hell" guarantees fistfuls of fury that will satisfy every insatiable heavy metal fanatic's appetite, setting forth a feast of delicious power-infused heavy metal tracks.

"Who Will Believe in Me" unveils the impressive shroud of LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT's grandiosity, unchaining a heartsore and bombastic piece filled with well-timed keys and soaring melodies, fitting of any power metal track, whilst the vigour and muscularity of "Exit" and NWOBHM flavours of "Run Faster" beckon dazzling power riffs and beefy bass lines. It's the combined prowess of vocalist Henning Basse (ex-METALIUM, ex-FIREWIND), guitarist Jens Faber (DAWN OF DESTINY, MALEFISTUM), and drummer PHILIPP BOCK (DAWN OF DESTINY) that ensure sumptuous passages of passion, and smouldering, uncompromising heavy metal throughout "Hell", with the first few tracks shining with the band's infectious, energetic authenticity.

In traditional heavy metal fashion, LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT deliver some glorious temporal switches within the full-length, with "The Memory Remains" poised as an impassioned mid-tempo stomper that rages in a full-bodied flow of boisterous drums and pulsating vocal delivery. The bludgeoning of "Fury" takes everything up a notch with some nasty double-kicks and a tasty guitar opener, just to show how incendiary LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT can be, and "Demons" carries the furious flame further in seething slow-burning ferocity, with the thud of the heavy metal heart pounding away to near tachycardia. Despite this organic, aggressive energy, the tender side of the band pours out in "Times of Despair", which is something wholly introspective and the ballad of "Hell". In amongst all of the beefy musicianship, such a slow-paced track feels a little misplaced, but the momentum picks up very quickly and redeems with "Our Blessing" with some cool time signatures cleverly incorporated swaying a little off the traditional side of heavy metal, with a quick return to a powerful and bruising cover of SAVATAGE's "When the Crowds Return".

Clean, polished production and anvil-heavy metal are the key to LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT's sophomore release "Hell", proving that melodious keys, sweeping riffs, and bellowing vocals are both charming and soul-fulfilling, whilst still banging your head and blowing you into dust. "Hell" is a sterling release with a mostly killer attitude and well worth your time.<