Heavily influenced by the NWOBHM as well as hard rock and thrash, and scheduled to release their fourth album Legion Of The Grave tomorrow, Rising Steel appeal to a wide audience. Well known on the European metal scene, they have shared stages with bands such as ADX, Annihilator, Jaded Heart, Nightmare and Sister Sin. Rising Steel released their debut EP Warlord in 2014, followed by their first studio album Return Of The Warlord in 2016, and the subsequent Fight Them All and Beyond The Gates Of Hell.
From Grenoble in France, Rising Steel recorded Legion Of The Grave in France and it was then mixed in Sweden by Staffan Karlson and Rickard Bengtsson who are known for their work with Arch Enemy and Meshuggah amongst others. Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios in Finland then undertook the mastering.
Themes explored on the album include introspection and inner battles, with the band commenting that “…… we aim to take the listener on a journey through personal battles that reflect broader human experiences. It’s both a statement of resistance and a search for meaning”.
Each track is noticeably tight, from the versatile vocals of Emmanuelson to the crushing riffs and strong and menacing bass and drumlines, and there is definitely an “old school” sound on the album. The band have commented that “Sharpened in both sound and spirit, we returned to a more old-school heavy metal approach – without losing the raw energy and intensity that have long defined our style. Every track hits with precision, driven by razor-sharp riffs, commanding vocals, and an organic production that channels the true passion of real metal.”
Looking in a bit more detail at Legion Of The Grave, I thought that the second track, King Of The Universe, was one of the main tracks that really showcased what the album has to offer. You can check out the official video release here:
Some other notable tracks include Black Martin, in which the music and dark and introspective lyrics meld together to offer up a powerful track bordering on doom. Legion Of The Grave shifts the album further into thrash gear and this has some powerful bass and drumlines running across, as well as a heavy riff in the bridge. Likewise, Messiah Of Death is one of the faster and heavier tracks of the album and another favourite of mine.
The opener to the final track Night Vision offers up a bit of breathing space before shifting back to full throttle and as final tracks go, this was a good choice as it seemed to finish the album as well as it started. There is clear strength and consistency across Legion Of The Grave, with each track having something that jumps out at you straightaway.
Legion Of The Grave is well worth checking out. It’s an essential listen for “old school” metalheads and will also offer an enjoyable listen for any respectable hard rocker.
Track listing:
- Betrayer
- King Of The Universe
- Black Martin
- Legion Of The Grave
- Nightmare
- Venomous
- Messiah Of Death
- Dead Mind
- Trapped In A Soul’s Garden
- Night Vision
Line up:
- Emmanuelson (vocals)
- Steff Leadmaster (lead guitar)
- Tony Steel (guitar)
- Stone Warrior (bass)
- Steel Zard (drums)
You can check out Rising Steel on their website, Facebook or Instagram and Legion Of The Grave will be available on the usual platforms from 29th August 2025 onwards.
‘Legion Of The Grave is well worth checking out. It’s an essential listen for “old school” metalheads and will also offer an enjoyable listen for any respectable hard rocker.’
Special thanks to Frontiers Music s.r.l
