LEGION OF THE DAMNED Explains Decision To Reissue OCCULT Recordings

Dutch thrashers LEGION OF THE DAMNED have set a January 2008 release date for "Feel the Blade" (Massacre Records),a reissue of the the "Elegy for the Weak" CD originally released under the band's previous moniker OCCULT. The new version of the LP will contain two new songs that didn't appear on the original "Elegy for the Weak" album, a new cover and a bonus DVD.

Commented the band: "We are getting a lot of emails from fans asking us still why another album is coming out and people wonder themselves if this is a financial issue: no new album, but releasing an old existing recording to earn some money.

"Well, without sending everyone individual emails we rather [release] a statement [vai our web site].

"First of all, the 'Feel the Blade' album is NOT a NEW album, and it's also NOT recorded recently. Many think we took some OCCULT songs and re-recorded them recently. This is not the case.

"'Feel the Blade' comes from an album that OCCULT once released under the name 'Elegy for the Weak'. We as band strongly believe that this album belongs to the LEGION OF THE DAMNED category and since the album is hard to get we will re-release it. Of course there may always be people out there who were able to buy an 'Elegy for the Weak' copy for 10 or 15 euros, but we put so much effort into this new release that even if you own a copy of the 'Elegy for the Weak' album, this is still worth buying. It will not only have the 'Elegy for the Weak' recording remastered but also two new songs and a cover song, plus a 127-minute-long bonus DVD.

"This CD will come in three versions. One normal jewel-case version, one limited digipack version (with DVD) and one exclusive for Amazon made version DVD format with six free cards and sticker. The DVD will also have an embossed cover. This last version will only come in 1,000 pieces and only available through Amazon worldwide.

"For us this is a personal matter, that the 'Elegy for the Weak' will see daylight again and that it will finally be available for everyone. This also makes it possible for us to play these songs again live since now they belong to the LEGION OF THE DAMNED family.

"We are very very happy with this killer release, there are killer tracks on it, and the package is a perfect item for every die-hard thrash LEGION OF THE DAMNED maniac."

A video interview with LEGION OF THE DAMNED conducted by "Angel of Metal" at this year's Bloodstock Open Air festival, which took place August 16-18 at Catton Hall in Derbyshire, England, can be viewed below.

LEGION OF THE DAMNED's "Sons of the Jackal" album entered the German national album chart at position No. 54 back in January. The follow-up to 2006's "Malevolent Rapture" was recorded at Stage One studio in Bühne, Germany with producer Andy Classen.