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 / 10 — Jon E. • August 22, 2011

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

Related news

Among Legends' Lose My Grip

Posted in Records on June 16, 2026

Pennywise and punk legends on the coast

Posted in Tours on February 23, 2026

The Legendary Pink Dots are So Lonely In Heaven

Posted in Records on December 12, 2024

Recently-posted album reviews

Softjaw

Love Can't Kill You
Bachelor Records, Dandy Boy Records (2026)

I already wrote about these dudes in my mid-year top 5 since Oakland’s Dandy Boy Records released a compilation of their early digital singles back in April, and here they are following it up with a 12-song album of all new material! This second release proves Long Beach’s Softjaw have a masters in powerpop from the school of rock. I’m … Read more

Fontaines D.C.

Dopamine Chamber
XL Recordings (2026)

ALBUM HIGHLIGHTS – “Tongue”, “Where Is Gone?”, “You Miss Me”, “Japan”If you’ve been here from the start, Fontaines D.C. will always conjure up gritty, political poetry and clashing, driving rhythms. Third album Skinty Fia, the defining breakthrough moment and fan favourite, gave them their first number one record in the UK and Ireland in 2022 – but can they improve … Read more

DeeCracks

True Nothing
Pirates Press (2026)

Let’s get crazy and out of control! That’s what the opening line of the album instructs us to do and I’m inclined to listen. I am new to the DeeCRACKS party and I’m not sure how I missed them. Celebrating 20 years in 2023, the band released 20 Years. A Frantic Effort, and I’m sure this newest release fully delivers … Read more