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Legacy: Legacy

Melodic Hard Rock/Metal

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Eonian Records
www.myspace.com/legacycolumbus
www.eonianrecords.com
Review: Craig Hartranft,  04.18.2010

Christian (sometimes called white) metal rose to the fore in the early to mid 1980's. Thanks in most part to the fame and fortune of Stryper, Christian band left the ghetto of contemporary Christian music to unashamedly mixed their faith with hard rock, heavy metal, and plenty of spandex and mousse. Unfortunately, and as usual, most Christian artists were merely duplicating existing music trends and merely adding 'Jesus' to the lyrics. It was very difficult then, as it is today, to find a Christian band that was a true trendsetter. In this case, imitation was not the best form of flattery.

Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, Christian melodic hard rock and heavy metal band Legacy sought to ride the crest of the current wave. Invoking peers and influences like Stryper, Dokken, and Scorpions, Legacy hoped enter the fray with faith-based melodic metal. Legacy, the self-titled archival collection from Eonian Records, is their, well, legacy. Equal parts Stryper and Holy Soldier with a little Barren Cross, Legacy bristles with sound vocal arrangements, a well-paced rhythm section, and dynamic fretwork. The songs are typical of late 80's glam and melodic hard rock or metal, so there is nothing remarkably new or dazzling here. A song like Salvation is Law or Cross the Line have a heavier metal edge. Conversely, Red White, & Blue or Change of a Broken Heart are pure melodic hard rock. A typical 80's rock/metal appears in Forever in Your Arms, where you can here the clear influence of Stryper. In content, the message is also typical of Christian metal of the day: a combination of testimony and proclamation of faith in Jesus Christ.

Adding this all up means you have, simply, generic 80's Christian metal. Many songs inspire in faith and music, but many are simply average representations of everything that was going on in the genre in their day. Nevertheless, this archival collection is worth your listening interest as a proper and entertaining piece from the period. Recommended.

Find a full biography of Legacy at Eonian Records.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Christian metal rose to fame in the 1980s, to the chagrin of some and praise of others. Ohio's Legacy was a contender among their peers thanks to grand melodic arrangements, soaring vocals, and stirring fret work. Think Stryper meets Barren Cross.

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