Band's List Death Thrash Leviathan (USA-2) Legions of the Undead

Of the many bands that came out in the late 80s, it would be wise to summarize that Leviathan is probably the band who’s members later went on to represent a few of the well known monsters of death metal. Who would have really guessed that these guys got their start with a band that played an intense form of extreme thrash metal? This thrash fest is comparable with the likes of early Dark Angel and a few of the well known German Teutonic thrash specialists like Kreator, Sodom or even Protector. Legions of the Undead comprises of four intense tracks of thrash metal with sadistic riffs that could rival the best in business.

Let me first start off with the biggest surprise in here and his name is Chris Barnes. This guy sounds like an anger and hatred filled young man who’s out to kill every person he dislikes. Unlike the low pitched growls and grunts for which he would gain mass fame during his years with Cannibal Corpse and Six Feet Under, his singing on this demo sounds more like a cross between Don Doty, Tom Angelripper and Mille Petrozza. The other surprise here is the rhythm section who play thrash riff after thrash riff rather than relying on down-tuned riffs like they would get accustomed to on their stints with Malevolent Creation.

Violent Slaughter starts off this demo with a bass solo and then comes in the wild rebel yell of Mr. Barnes followed by a sick thrash riff that sounds completely from another planet. This then turns into a violent thrash metal slaughter with a few breakdowns that play that same riff I mentioned earlier. Awesome start to this demo.

Destructive Aggressor follows with a riff that sounds reminiscent of Metallica’s Hit the Lights but unlike having breakdowns, this song kicks off with sheer ferocity and continues till the very end of the song. There is also a display of drumming talent at the very end of this track. Wonder whatever happened to the drummer who played on this demo. He could have perhaps gained more recognition like Steve Asheim did.

Lamentation of Death kicks off with another insane riff with those drums adding the effect to create another blowing slab of thrash. Even with a couple of breakdowns this track is another riff fest without compromising on the speed whatsoever. The final track Leviathan finishes off things with the same intensity. The chorus sticks to your head for quite a few days and Barnes may have screamed his lungs out to capacity while singing it. These guys apart from being good musicians were terrific songwriters too. How many thrash/death metal bands can be categorized under both? In my opinion not many do.

Overall this is recommended to listeners of thrash or early death who are willing to bear with the sound quality. Keep in mind that this is only a demo and not a full fledged studio recording, so don’t expect production of the highest order in here. For enthusiasts and curiosity driven metalheads, this should give you a fair idea of what fledgling Floridan death metal sounded like