Ayumi by Legion Within

Lead singer William Wilson sounds like a young Peter Murphy, and the group's approach echoes that of the early Mission U.K. and Fields of the Nephilim. These are not immediate songs but builders - songs that develop and mutate, offering chord and tempo changes, a variety of vocal approaches and the plaintive notes of a cello for an added dimension. Individual performances are well integrated and the band as a whole has a very intelligent, romantic, confident sound. The longest track, "Broken Dreams", is the best; Listening to it brought me back to the days of candlelight and vinyl.

- Richard Allen, Industrial natioN, Issue #19

If you enjoy music that was made for the darker side of your life, then buy this CD for it is your soundtrack.

- Justin Arnold, Seattle Sinner Volume 1 Issue 10

Seattle's Legion Within evokes the overcast skies of its Pacific Northwest locale in an unusual way on its latest release Ayumi. The sextet seemingly revels in Gothic atmospheres and dark melodies; tunes with titles like "Broken Dreams," "Treachery" and "I Feel Nothing" frame the mindset at work here. Frontman William Wilson has the deep Goth baritone thing down, and his bandmates give him the perfect backdrop over which to croon. Cellist Lisa Smith and soundscape guitarist Shannon Cole are especially indispensable. However, despite the air of doom 'n' gloom, there is hope. The shimmering textures of Cole and Wilson's guitars and the bright tinkling of Markus Krieg's keyboards give hints of better days coming, like the sun as it first starts to break through dissipating storm clouds. The almost-uplifting nature of "Pure" definitely indicates that this band doesn't brood all the time. It's this tendency not to paint everything in the same shade of washed-out gray that sets Legion Within apart from the usual Goth tropes, and makes Ayumi a solid base on which to grow.

- Michael Toland, highbias.com

For fans of: the Chameleons, Audra, the Mission UK

ATMOSPHERIC GOTHIC ROCK: This six piece band from Seattle create beautiful gothic atmospheres with an airy ethereal feel while still being grounded by the depth of a live band. The warm and harmonious songs on this 10 track disc are led by the emotional vocals and distinctive croon of William Wilson, reminiscent of Peter Murphy. In addition to the swirling guitars, crisp percussion, dreamy synths, and hypnotic bass, many of the songs are enhanced by elegant cello, which gives the band an old world ambiance. Following up their self-titled debut EP, Ayumi is a lovely addition to the world of gothic music.

- Outburn Magazine, Issue 20

Legion Within create beautiful atmospheric rock ballads with an incredible six member line up. Wilson's baritone vocals are set to spacey guitars, keyboards, and cello that really create just the right mood for this incredible album. Intense emotional songs, such as "He Moves", "Treachery", and "I Feel Nothing"

- Moonshadows WebZine, Issue #2 at www.run.to/moonshadows

At a time when most dark, gothic music bands are either becoming too electronic-based on one hand, and too metal-based on the other, it is nice to see a band that reaches back to the forefathers of the genre for inspiration. While William Wilson's baritone is reminiscent of Peter Murphy's legendary croon, don't expect a Bauhaus clone band. The music on Ayumi has more of a world, ethereal darkwave aesthetic, and wouldn't sound out of place on Projekt. Legion Within is recommended to fansof Murphy's solo work, as well as Audra and even early Dead Can Dance. The band definitely pays attention to capturing the mood of the music with their CD art and packaging as well; a nice touch.

- Derek Ruthven, The Sentimentalist, Volume III Issue XI

Seattle's Legion Within may well be among the last of a dying breed: an honest-to-goodness Gothic Rock band...[Legion Within] shows that there are still some gems to be found in that almost-forgotten genre.

- Kevin Filan, Starvox Magazine

Soulful, lush and dynamic orchestrations accentuated by rich baritone vocals and weeping cello lines. Legion Within's music washes through the listener with waves of mystery and exultation

-D.J. Paul Aleinikoff, On the Edge C-89.5 fm

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