The 2021 passing of revered doom metal legend Eric Wagner looms large over Legions of Doom’s debut.
FFO: The Skull, Trouble, Saint Vitus, Corrosion of Conformity
“Eric had this file on his computer labelled ‘New Skull Record’,” explains close friend and former trouble bassist, Ron Holzner, who – alongside guitarist, Lothar Keller – picked up on the responsibility of shaping material that would’ve featured on Wagner’s third full-length with The Skull, completely anew.
“With his lyrics allotted to these songs. I was lucky that his family was able to access the computer and share it with me,” Holzner continues. “There were extra lyrics and verses that I used to finish them. I wrote most of the words to ‘Lost Soul,’ but I’m so happy that they were able to access the computer and pass along everything Eric did to me.”
With the blessing of Wagner’s family and the roots of his involvement uncovered, Legions of Doom shifted further into supergroup territory to fully celebrate Wagner’s life and creativity. Welcomed into the fold for The Skull 3 are drummer Henry Vasquez (Saint Vitus, Pentagram, Blood of The Sun), guitarist Scott Little (Leadfoot) and vocalists; Karl Agell (Lie Heavy, Leadfoot, Blind-era Corrosion of Conformity) and Scott Reagers (original frontman of Saint Vitus).
While featuring Wagner’s spirit, not to mention his vocals on the track ‘Heaven’, Legions of Doom is more than just a tribute. Just as The Skull built on the legacy of its component members – Keller’s contributions to song writing have always been the secret weapon, and one that remains as true as ever on The Skull 3. More of a debut than a lost album by The Skull, the persona of Legions of Doom is immediately distinguished through the vocal performances of Reagers and Agell. Yes, it’s classic doom by veterans who helped define the form, but Legions of Doom are vibrant in their revelry, and sound like a band with more to say.
“Lothar and I wrote eighty percent of the record with Eric prior to him passing away,” explains Holzner. “Karl, Henry and especially Scott Reagers wanted to finish it. Scott really didn’t want The Skull to end and insisted that we continue, as well as doing Legions of Doom. But the latter will be the new focus from here on out and The Skull will play once in a while. Lo and I finished the record with a collaboration from David Snyder (Trouble, Blackfinger) on our new single, ‘All Good Things’. And we wrote the newest song ‘Lost Soul’ with Henry. We also reworked Eric’s acoustic song ‘Heaven’ to go with his recorded vocals. The cover art was done by the legendary David V. D’Andrea at Samaritan Press. I told him I wanted something to represent moving on from The Skull and being reborn in Legions of Doom…”
Ahead of the release of The Skull 3, the band has unveiled new single, ‘All Good Things,’ which also serves as the A-side of a limited-edition EP set for release on August 23rd. (The B-side features a cover of Deep Purple’s ‘Into the Fire’.)
“‘All Good Things’ holds great significance,” elaborates Agell. “It’s the first true Legions of Doom song. I was granted the great honour of singing Eric Wagner’s beautiful words which telegraph hope and redemption amid pain and despair. It became a sort of collaboration beyond the grave, signalling a rebirth. ‘And so dear friends, you have to carry on. All good things come to those who wait.’
Pre-orders are open here for the All Good Things EP (available digitally and on 7” vinyl), as are pre-orders for The Skull 3, which will be available worldwide on CD, LP and digital formats via Tee Pee Records on 13th September 2024. The band will also be playing a string of live dates across the US in support of the album, all of which you can find below.
LIVE:
12/9 – Desertfest NYC Pre Party – Brooklyn, NY
13/9 – Widowmaker Brewing – Braintree, MA
14/9 – Chapel of Bones – Raleigh, NC
20/9 – Ripplefest – Austin, TX