Death metal supergroup LEFT TO DIE have released “Legion Of Doom”, the third single and opening track from their upcoming debut full-length album, Initium Mortis, due July 17 via Relapse Records.
Originally originating from the early MANTAS and DEATH Death By Metal demo era, “Legion Of Doom” represents the raw foundation of what would eventually become one of death metal’s most influential bands. According to bassist Terry Butler (OBITUARY, ex-DEATH), the track features one of the earliest and heaviest riffs from that period, with its main riff later resurfacing in DEATH’s Spiritual Healing.
Initium Mortis sees LEFT TO DIE revisiting the earliest chapters of DEATH’s history, bringing together original DEATH members Terry Butler and Rick Rozz (MASSACRE) with guitarist/vocalist Matt Harvey (EXHUMED, GRUESOME) and drummer Gus Rios (GRUESOME). The album transforms long-lost demo material into a fully realized release with powerful modern production while preserving the raw character of the original compositions.
The band’s formation grew from live celebrations of DEATH’s classic catalog, including performances of Spiritual Healing and Leprosy. After touring internationally and receiving overwhelming fan demand for new material, the members decided to revisit songs from the MANTAS and early DEATH archives.
Matt Harvey explains that the album represents an “alternate-universe” take on the Scream Bloody Gore era, featuring songs that circulated through various DEATH lineups and rehearsals between 1983 and 1987. The band carefully selected tracks that created a cohesive album while showcasing Rick Rozz’s distinctive guitar style and contributions to the band’s early sound.
Terry Butler adds that Initium Mortis allows fans to experience the origins of MANTAS and DEATH with proper production, noting that many of the original demo recordings were difficult to hear due to their primitive recording methods.
Initium Mortis Track Listing
- Legion Of Doom
- Archangel
- Power Of Darkness
- Zombie
- Witch Of Hell
- Rise Of Satan
- Summoned To Die
- Mantas
- Slaughterhouse
- Death By Metal
Featuring previously released singles “Archangel” and “Witch Of Hell”, Initium Mortis offers death metal fans a chance to hear rarely explored material from the genre’s earliest foundations, performed by musicians directly connected to that history.
LEFT TO DIE will support the release with European dates in August alongside LIVLØS, followed by a Latin American tour in September.
Listen / Preorder here