Dutch thrashers Legion Of The Damned will enter Stage One Studio in Bühne, Germany in March with producer Andy Classen (Tankard, Krisiun, Holy Moses) to begin recording its new album, "Ravenous Plague", for a late 2013 release via Napalm Records. Andy previously produced Legion Of The Damned's CDs "Feel The Blade", "Malevolent Rapture", "Sons Of The Jackal" and "Cult Of The Dead". However, the band's last Lp, "Descent Into Chaos", was helmed by Peter Tägtgren at the Abyss studio in Sweden.

Commented Legion Of The Damned vocalist Maurice Swinkels: "Peter was a super experience to us and it was a hell of a great time. For me, it was a personal thing; I was curious to hear the result with a different producer other than Andy Classen, but the beating heart of Legion Of The Damned lies in Bühne, the home town of Stage One Studio in Germany."

Adds Legion Of The Damned drummer Erik Fleuren: "Many of the succesful albums of Legion Of The Damned were produced by Andy Classen and therefore we build such a strong team with him. He can truly push us to our limits, and that's what we need."

Legion Of The Damned also believes that since it's their first album with guitarist Twan van Geel, it's a good decision to choose a familiar environment. Former guitarist Richard Ebisch left the band more than a year ago, after serving the band since 1994, although he was to be seen as the mastermind behind all the typical Legion Of The Damned riffs.

Maurice says fans can still expect a true Legion Of The Damned album.

"Richard was the only guitarist, but writing new material in Legion Of The Damned was never a one-man job or decision — everyone is involved. Therefore, even with Twan van Geel on the heavy strings, fans can expect a typical Legion Of The Damned album since we definitely stay true to our style, although it will have its own special twist, of course, since Twan has its own style of playing."

Maurice adds: "We can't wait to record the new album, 'Ravenous Plague'. It will definitely feel as if we are 'coming home'."

Says Andy Classen: "I'm really glad to get the Legions back to stage one studio — I always felt like a band member and I love the band and their music. So now we're looking forward to do another killer Legion Of The Damned album!"

Once again, Tony "Skullcrusher" Manero is responsible for the lyrical content of the new album. The lyrics will deal with various aspects of apocalypticism, with what happens when society falls apart when everything lies in ruins and how people manage to survive.

Legion Of The Damned is:

Maurice Swinkels - Vocals
Twan van Geel - Guitar
Harold Gielen - Bass
Erik Fleuren - Drums
Hein Willekens - Guitar