Musical Style: Melodic Metal/Hard Rock	Produced By: Rusty Yanok & Legacy
Record Label: Eonian	Country Of Origin: USA
Year Released: 2024	Artist Website:
Tracks: 8	Rating: 80%
Running Time: 31:18

The epitome of eighties melodic metal and hard rock, Legacy continues to offer catchy hooks and melodies alongside the radio friendly sensibilities and commercial nuances to go in hand.  Key word being ‘continues’ in that the Columbus, Ohio based act released in November of 2024 via Eonian Records its eight song full length debut, Hello, New World, subsequent to recording in the late eighties and early nineties several independent demos.  Hello, New World takes a best of both worlds approach from featuring six new Legacy compositions and two re-recorded demo tracks.  A compiling of the groups demo material was initially released by Eonian in 2010 under the Legacy title and a second time in November of 2024 (also Eonian & under the new title Legacy II) with three studio bonus tracks.

Despite the passing of nearly forty years, Legacy amazingly maintains on Hello, New World its founding lineup of vocalist Doug Meacham, guitarists Matthew Rice and Fred Blanchard, bassist John Rice and drummer John Jenkins.  The five initially came together in 1987 and played extensively throughout the Midwest, having opened for Rez Band, Shout, Sacred Warrior, Mylon LeFevre and Allies in addition to taking second place in the new talent stage at Cornerstone 1989 (won by Xalt).  Legacy is also notable for placing two of its demo tracks, “Cross The Line” and “What A World”, on the respective Heavy Righteous Metal - Chapter II (1989) and Brave New Music (1991) compilations.

Of the six original Hello, New World compositions, opener “These Five Words” ranks with my favorites as three minutes of energy innate to borderline traditional metal guitars - Legacy puts the METAL in melodic metal - and equally seductive hooks.  The heavier environs prove an apt fit for grainy and raspy middle register vocalist Doug Meacham, who similar to many vocalists from his era (Dale Thompson, Mike Lee and Michael Sweet) maintains his prime skills.  Lyric snippet:

Let me love like you
Let me tear down all the walls now
Let me love like you
Let me reach out, be the rescue, like You

Change me oh God, help me to love
Give me Your heart, I can’t get enough

These five words will be my cure

Lone song in which I pass is first of the re-recorded demo tracks in melodic hard rocker “Change Of A Broken Heart”.  I struggled to embrace it dating back to Legacy, referencing in my review how it ‘(lacks) the energy, edge and bite and big hooks of (albums) better material’.  Same still holds true despite the re-record improving things with better-defined guitars and added low-end depth.

“Sidewalk Space” returns to upbeat metal territory, forward and self-assertive as the groups gleaming Stryper like vocal melodies play a lead role alongside a choice melody to command on first listen.  The Matthew Rice and Fred Blanchard guitar team further embolden the energy with their able licks and chops.  ‘Best way to describe their playing would be to combine equal parts David Zaffiro (Bloodgood), Oz Fox (Stryper), Tony Palacios (Guardian) and Rick Hunter (Soldier) and boil everything down to create their own distinct style’ (again, quoting my Legacy review).  Lyric snippet:

Release me, hand of need please let me be
Oh, seize me, hand of God, give me the key

An outcast, nowhere fast, I’m alone
So, I seek Your face
I feel trapped, a mishap, I’ve not home
Only sidewalk space

Hold me in Your loving arms
Be a refuge away from harm

With acapella vocals to start, “21: takes a melodic hard rock mixed with AOR heading rooted in commercial eighties aesthetics.  It proves no less worthy nonetheless, not quite forthright in terms of rhythm guitar but sure all the same from standpoint in which Legacy gain makes use of its polished vocal melodies.  High point is the metal groove driven instrumental run in which Rice and Blanchard again stand out.

“Take My Breath Away” ups tempo to near speed based territory.  Song speaks of the triumphant and exultant, reveling in straight on metal demeanor - some of the riffs bring to mind Bloodgood at its heaviest - but also not forsaking a polished layering allowing for the accessible (it deserves note the refined production).  A borderline worship metal flair rises to the surface.  Lyric snippet:

Feel the ground ever shaking at the royal sound
Blow the trumpet in Zion and the lost be found

Cry out, turn your eyes unto the Master
Scream or shout, eternal bliss or disaster

Take my breath away, oh Lord, in this final hour
Take my breath away, we were born to receive Your power

Might horse of thunder coming with our King
Stand in awe and wonder as we join and sing

“Forever In Your Arms” is my favorite of the two demo re-records.  What we have is a proper eighties commercial ballad, integral to dainty keyboards and sprinkled guitar but also up-tempo aspects found in festive hooks of a pop based nature and lively guitars planted in AOR territory.  This one would sound at home on any early Stryper album, noting the satiny backing vocals.

Also, and to be completely fair, in revisiting my Legacy review I lumped “Forever In Your Arms” alongside “change Of A Broken Heart” and several others among tracks in which I passed.  Needless to say, my opinion changed the past 15 years, with the improved production over the demo playing no small role in this regard. 

“With A Shout” also ranks with my choice tracks.  It is another heavier piece, upraised with venturous riffs hinting of Eternal Ryte, but also understated in terms of catchiness, specifying the appropriately ‘shouted’ backing vocals adorning the harrying refrain.  Meacham allows for some ascending Dickinson like flair to imbue his vocal delivery.  Lyric snippet:

Sing a new song to the King of Kings
When life seems wasted give up everything
Surrender our soul, for God has control
And then you’ll rock and let your praises ring

So, lift your voice and praise with a shout
Your majesty on high, oh Prince of Peace
As white as fresh fallen snow, make our fleece
We want to lift You up, and let You fill our cup

Closer “Chains On My Heart” impresses as a hard rock semi-ballad.  It delivers needed impactful sensibilities in the form of the moody minute long acoustic intro build and open-air bass at moments notice, but also a vehement side from standpoint of one the catchiest riffs you will here.  Tying everything together are choir-like vocal melodies.  I am reminded of Rock In A Hard Place era Bloodgood.

Hello, New World impresses as an EP of six very good original songs that extends into full-length territory with a couple demo re-records.  My point being that the new Legacy material is of such high quality I wish the group had come up with three to four additional songs of similar level.  If such the case, I see Hello, New World assigned a grade 5% to 10% higher.  That said, if going to re-record your demo material, why stop at two songs?  Why not instead re-record at minimum four to turn the album into a true full-length 10-song effort.  The previously noted compilation songs “Cross The Line” and “What A World” would have made excellent selections in this regard.  Still, credit the group and Eonian for allowing Hello, New World to see the light of day.  Similar to Stryper, my hope is this represents a comeback foreshadowing more than one new album of original material to follow. 

Review by Andrew Rockwell

Track Listing: “These Five Words” (3:11), “Change Of A Broken Heart” (3:08), “Sidewalk Space” (3:28), “21” (4:44), “Take My Breath Away” (3:47), “Forever In Your Arms” (4:30, “With A Shout” (3:17), “Chains On My Heart” (5:11)

Musicians
Lead Vocals - Doug Meacham
Matthew Rice - Guitars
Fred Blanchard - Guitars
John Rice - Bass
John Jenkins - Drums