by Chris TrueDutch thrash metal merchants the Legion of the Damned formed in the early years of the 21st century and quickly made a name for themselves, landing touring and support slots with such established names as Cannibal Corpse, Kataklysm, and Sodom. Their first full-length, Malevolent Rapture, was released in 2006. The band followed up the release with a number of tour dates and festival appearances, including the Wacken Festival. The band only took a year to unleash its next full-length platter of thrash madness on an otherwise unsuspecting populace, seeing Sons of the Jackal hit stores in early 2007. The tradition of following album releases with shows opening for big names began to get established at this point, with the Legion touring in support of album number two with Celtic Frost and Kreator. In 2008, the band (Maurice Sinkels -- vocals, Richard Ebisch -- guitar, Harold Gielen -- bass, and Erik Fleuren -- drums) released its third album, Feel the Blade. A charting album in parts of Europe, Feel the Blade was released as part of a new deal with Nuclear Blast.