♦ 9/10

Dimitris Zacharopoulos

Το άρθρο LEX LEGION – “LEX LEGION” (2026, MNRK MUSIC GROUP) εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

German/American heavy metal pioneers Accept mark their 50th anniversary with a monumental release that unites some of the biggest names in the metal world. “Teutonic Titans 1976–2026” serves as a powerful celebration of the band’s enduring legacy, built on decades of unforgettable riffs and uncompromising heavy metal.

Set for release on September 4, 2026 via Napalm Records, the album revisits some of ACCEPT’s most legendary songs, showcasing them in a fresh and exciting light. Under the guidance of guitarist Wolf Hoffmann, the driving force behind the band’s signature sound, ACCEPT is joined by an impressive lineup of 50 guest musicians who contribute to 19 newly reworked versions of classic tracks.

As the most ambitious and guest-filled project in the band’s history, “Teutonic Titans 1976–2026” extends ACCEPT’s influence far beyond its roots, bringing together leading figures from across the global metal community to honor one of the genre’s most influential acts. More than a retrospective, the album stands as a bold declaration of ACCEPT’s lasting impact on heavy music. Pre-orders are currently available in a variety of exclusive editions and formats.

Το άρθρο ACCEPT FEAT. PHILIP ANSELMO, KIRK HAMMETT, BILLY SHEEHAN, MIKKEY DEE – “FAST AS A SHARK” εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

Founded by Mikkey Dee and Pete Blakk and rounded out by longtime friends and collaborators, Lex Legion stands as a project shaped by both legacy and endurance. What started as a long-standing idea between a tight circle of musicians has now taken real form, driven by more than four decades of shared history and a refreshed creative mindset, free from the limitations of their past affiliations.

The band’s self-titled debut, set for release in June 2026 through MNRK Music Group, taps into a conscious throwback to their roots while still sounding sharp and contemporary. With stripped-down arrangements, memorable melodies, and top-tier musicianship, the album underlines their determination to create music entirely on their own terms.

The first single, “Sleep Eternally”, arriving on March 31, makes an immediate impact, setting the tone from the outset. Its successor, “Gypsy Tears”, keeps things moving with a strong blend of atmosphere and momentum. Drawing on classic influences but refined through decades of experience, Lex Legion look to carve out their place in today’s metal landscape — proving that their long-anticipated debut has been well worth the wait.

Lex Legion may be a new name, but it’s built on a foundation of longtime friendships and a seriously impressive heavy metal pedigree. Bringing together four members from the classic late-’80s King Diamond lineup and elevating the sound with the striking vocals of Nils K. Rue, the band’s self-titled debut delivers a focused, forward-looking blend of top-tier hard rock and metal.

Driven by sharp, stripped-down arrangements, exceptional musicianship, and a strong sense of melody and harmony, the album feels both refined and powerful — a natural evolution of seasoned artists creating without compromise.

In 2026, LEX LEGION’s members find themselves more musically accomplished than ever, whilst also being more comfortable with themselves and each other than ever before. As well as vocalist Rue, LEX LEGION is comprised of former KING DIAMOND guitarist Pete Blakk and bassist Hal Patino, guitarist/producer Andy La Rocque, a KING DIAMOND constant since 1985 who also played on DEATH’s seminal “Individual Thought Patterns”, and drummer extraordinaire Mikkey Dee, who was in MOTÖRHEAD for over two decades and has been in the SCORPIONS for 10 years. All remained close and have long discussed reuniting, with everyone knowing Rue from prior projects and his five acclaimed albums with PAGAN’S MIND. Add to this the weight of hope and expectation from KING DIAMOND fans, and it’s clear that LEX LEGION’s time is now.

This is music for fans of heyday IRON MAIDEN, QUEENSRŸCHE, ACCEPT and, yes, KING DIAMOND (the four LEX LEGION instrumentalists appeared together on KING DIAMOND’s “Them” and “Conspiracy” albums), but with a freshness and sense of excitement that only debut albums capture. Within the first few seconds of album opener and first single “Sleep Eternally”, LEX LEGION unequivocally confirm that fact.

“Lex Legion” track listing:

01. Sleep Eternally (3:56)
02. Gypsy Tears (3:57)
03. When The Stars Align (3:52)
04. (I Am) The Resurrected (4:27)
05. Lost Inside (3:33)
06. Darkness (4:28)
07. Saviours (4:03)
08. Life Eternal (3:25)
09. Far Away (2:58)

Το άρθρο LEX LEGION: FOUR KING DIAMOND MEMBERS UNITE IN NEW BAND εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.

Mikkey took to his social media to write: “Just a quick statement about what has been happening to me these past three weeks:

“First I like to thank everyone for these heartwarming Christmas and New Years greetings, that I have not been able to respond to. I always try to do that every year. This holiday season, I have been hospitalized with a very serious blood infection (Sepsis). I was admitted for three weeks but now I am home fighting this bastard bacteria. Thankfully, I have received fantastic care at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, my hometown. So thanks a million to all the Doctors and Nurses that have been giving me the most excellent care. After several operations, I am now back home and the numbers are all going in the right direction. Still lots of recovery and rehab in front of me. Now I’m working a 100% to be back on the drum stool for the Residency that starts off in Las Vegas on February 27.  We have a tremendous 2025 to look forward to, celebrating 60 years of SCORPIONS and many exciting gigs around the world. So, the Stinger is out and I can’t wait to see you all out there on the road and rock the hell out of you! I wish everybody a fantastic 2025 with good health and lots of Rock n’ Roll!”.

In an interview with the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, Dee revealed that he unknowingly developed sepsis after spraining his foot in December. Determined to go through with his scheduled Christmas performances at Valand in Gothenburg, he took Alvedon, a pain reliever, along with Voltaren, an anti-inflammatory drug, to manage his discomfort and complete the final shows of the year. However, his health took a turn for the worse the weekend before Christmas.

“The ankle swelled up like hell, then it took on a weird shape and appearance and looked like an overcooked ham. I became very ill so I had to go by ambulance to Sahlgrenska and there they found that I had sky-high values, so I became priority one there,” Mikkey said. “It was surgery right away, the first of three. They cut away what was dead and infected and badly infested. It was not a good journey I was on… Another day and I’d be playing drums with Lemmy in heaven. I can say that”.

Το άρθρο MIKKEY DEE: HIS BATTLE WITH SEPSIS εμφανίστηκε πρώτα στο Myth Of Rock.