ERIC MOORE AND THE LEGION OF THE DAMNED - Self Titled review

 

ERIC MOORE AND THE LEGION OF THE DAMNED - Self Titled

Self Release

OK first off a little history lesson for ya. Eric Moore, who passed away on May 17th, 2019 at the age of 67, was the vocalist/bass player for the late 70's/early 80's US hard fuckin rock band THE GODZ. The band hailed from Ohio. Their debut self titled album from 1978, on Millennium Records and produced by Don Brewer of GRAND FUNK RAILROAD, is an unheralded classic from that era. Back then I remember seeing full page advertisements for that album in rock magazines Circus and Creem. 

A year later their second album Nothing is Sacred came out on Casablanca Records. THE GODZ were then a second tier touring act bringing their brand of biker rock with songs about sex, drugs and rock n roll to audiences from coast to coast. They shared stages with the major bands of that era as in KISS, BLUE OYSTER CULT, CHEAP TRICK, ANGEL and many others who would go on to be rock enthusiast household names. Unfortunately even with two good releases under their belt, being road savvy and having a decent fanbase wasn't enough to cement their status. Today whenever I read about or watch a video that deals with unheralded releases from bands of the 70's. THE GODZ don't even get a mention. And yet these "so-called experts" will name drop plenty of second tier 70's acts who were in the same league as THE GODZ.

So moving onward, as the 70's ended so did THE GODZ but temporarily that is. A few years into the 80's the band was back on the road and in 1985 released I'll Get You Rockin. That was followed up with Mongolians in 1987. Both of these releases showcased the band's tried and true spirit of sex, drugs and rock n roll coupled with an embrace of the new decade's heavy metal style. That got em on tours with OZZY as well as METALLICA. But even with all of that the band would eventually succumb to be a local fave in their home state and playing a special reunion gig here and there. 

Now the band might've been forgotten by the mainstream but not by the underground. That's where their following hung out and with the coming of the internet (aka: social media platforms, nostalgia websites and Youtube). Fans of THE GODZ started communicating with one another and with Eric Moore. One of those fans is my good friend Andy Miller vocalist for KNOWLEDGE IS FOR FOOLS (aka: KIFF). Andy has been singing the praises of THE GODZ for all the twenty some years I've known him. Years ago he got in contact with Eric Moore. That eventually turned into a friendship and getting KIFF a line-up slot for some GODZ celebration gigs. KIFF even recorded a few GODZ covers. 

Which brings us now to the present or at least close to it. What we have here are the last recorded works of Eric Moore from THE GODZ. In Febuary 2019 Eric Moore came to Raleigh, NC to do some recording with KIFF as well as some other famous musicians adding their talents. 90% of the material on here is from those recordings. Some other cuts were recorded elsewhere in parts unknown, to me at least. Along for the recorded ride with Eric Moore and the four members of KIFF are special guests are Steve Shuffert (formerly of THE GODZ), Richie Ranno (former guitarist of the 70's band STARZ), Jeff Clayton of ANTISEEN, Steve Broy from THE MENTORS and a few more names but it's time to talk about the music.

Now the album consists of fourteen cuts but actually it's seven good or even great cuts and the rest are Eric Moore acoustic ditties. The first three songs on here; "Lady Doom", "You and Me Together" and the ZZ TOP cover "Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers" are fucking damm good. The first two cuts are decent hard rock style numbers. The ZZ TOP cover is reminiscent of MOTORHEAD's version which is still cool. These cuts are performed by KIFF with Eric Moore on lead vocals. Steve Shuffert does the guitar solo on "Lady Doom". Were as Dane Taylor from the band MOTORBILLY does the guitar soloing on the other two. 

The song "Festyvul Season" is an interesting rocker which features vocals by Andy Miller of KIFF and Jeff Clayton of ANTISEEN. Moore appears in spoken word form book-ending the vocal parts. Basically the song is about a failed music festival which Moore was involved with many years ago and which he dubbed "the Spinal Tap of music festivals". It also includes an over extended song ending guitar solo by Dane Taylor that consists of half the six minute track. It also plays over Eric explaining the story.

Moving along "Live Free or Die" sounds like KIFF doing an Eric Moore penned cut or is it their's (?) It's simple, it rocks and ends with another three minute long guitar and bass solo. We're talking dedication here people by ending a song like a 70's live album where over indulgence is the norm. Next up "Heaven Would Be Hell For Me" sounds like an unused KISS demo from Rock n Roll Over. The solo even sounds like a drunk Ace did it. But it's really Mike Paradine from New Jersey with Richie Ranno providing the guitar solo. OK I was half right. The last of the first seven cuts is "No Easy Way Out" from THE MENTOR's Steve Broy and features some soulful 70's styled vocals by the amazing Monique Brewster.

As far as Eric's acoustic numbers go, they're OK but short as in little ditties which sound unfinished. I think "Lesbian Trapped In A Man's Body" and "Don't Love Me" are the best of the handful. If you're into some acoustic outlaw country than you'll like it. Now as for this album on a whole it's a good last testament to Eric Moore with the Legion of the Damned being his final backing band. Not a bad way to leave a legacy.

LISTEN AND ORDER IT HERE:

https://knowledgeisforfools.bandcamp.com/album/eric-moore-and-the-legion-of-the-damned