Review
Legend
The Pale Horse

Rise (2011) Jon E.

Legend – The Pale Horse cover artwork
Legend – The Pale Horse — Rise, 2011

What is there to say about Legend? The band released an album titled Valediction last year. That album was another entry into the deathcore fan grab. The album while proficient in playing down tuned "riffs" and breakdowns added little to a simple formula already having been in practice by what may now be a million other bands. Generally bands tour for a year or so between releases and come out with full lengths every two years or so. Apparently no one told Legend this as here is another album nearly a year after their first.

How does this stack up you ask?

Not particularly well to put it simply. While Legend is very clearly capable of playing their instruments they do little to write actual songs. In the records' 30 minute running time i found myself checking time and time again what song i was listening to. This isn't due to impatience as much as up until a brief intro to "Obey" there is little to differentiate these songs. Even then once the song kicks in it sounds much like the rest. The songs exist on a plane of existence that only favors mid tempo mosh with only the occasional distinguishable riff.

This album is nothing special as simple as can be. There is nothing that makes this offensive or especially interesting. While the band has inserted interesting parts into their songs, namely the last minute of "Numbers", there is very little presented on this album that bears resemblance to something special. This album, while not reinventing the wheel whatsoever, allows for a great soundtrack for kids to mosh to. It is somewhat hard to believe that Legend were going for much more in their writing. They do the mid-tempo mosh part so well that it seems that they write whole songs based on it.

The album as a whole bears the mark of impeccable production Everything feels pro-tooled to the maximum extent. Every instrument is in lock step at all times with there never being a moment where one could imagine anything remotely chaotic happening. There is nothing wrong with knowing what you're going for as a band and going for it head on unfortunately in this case it feels almost sterile in its execution. So if you're looking for well rounded song writing go elsewhere but, if you're solely looking to mosh hard and impress some girl with funny looking hair you may have your new soundtrack.

5.1 / 10Jon E. • August 22, 2011

Legend – The Pale Horse cover artwork
Legend – The Pale Horse — Rise, 2011

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