Deeds of Flesh

Mark of the Legion (2001)

Mark of the Legion stands the test of time, where others of similar ilk fade into nothingness, for two reasons: the first being the well-structured approach to both song-writing and song-placement, and secondly their melodicity. If one approaches this as a mangled, mechanical and seemingly dry technical death metal release then that is exactly what one would perceive; although, it would still stand out as at least passable due to the point of differentiation in a lot of the phrases. However, looking past all of this chaos one begins to perceive movements within these songs, altogether violent still, but a distinguishable flow of blood to the heart of the composition. These movements generally take form over two or three riff ideas, with fast variations of each within, offset against seeming conflict and incompatibility. The glue here is the melodic themes, and often the main melodic idea from the previous section is jaggedly interspersed in proceeding sections for sake of continuity, and to develop it in a new context or experience. From this aspect the feel of the album on a structural level is quite ambient, subtle development within the melodic cycle through minor changes of textural energy. If one can look inside and transcend the chaotic outer shell, and embrace the nihilism for what it is, the void of nothingness springs to life with the flow of thoughts. Punishing, violent, anti-moral; absolutely defiant in its thirst for blood.