BLACK MAJESTY – Cross Of Thorns (2015)
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I am not much into Power Metal these days but when a band from this genre comes from Australia you need to pay some attention. Aussie bands like BLACK MAJESTY usually give a lot attention to details, polished musicianship and melodic arrangements.
“Cross Of Thorns” is the new album by Black Majesty released today, September 4, through the new promising German label Pride & Joy Music recently founded by the former owner of Rock It! magazine and co-owner of the excellent Yesterrock reissue label.
From he first note of “Cross Of Thorns”, you can say Black Majesty plays from the heart and soul and just generally kicks major ass phenomenally. The band has been around circa 2001 and since then has crafted five full-length albums and one EP, so the guys are experienced and know how to craft a powerful, punchy metal song.
But it is not all power in the Black Majesty songwriting camp, they fuse everything with classic melodic metal, and while most of the tracks are pretty uptempo, the melody is the main focus.
“Phoenix” begins the album with the sound of a rushing crow speeding onto the carnage of Metal, implementing heavy riffs from Stevie Janevski and Hanny Mohamed combined with the melody of keyboard transitions holds an atmospheric greatness and a fine opening track to this solid album.
John Cavaliere really has vocals of pure steel and energetic precision. This guy is one of the highlights in Black Majesty, and a singer to take notice.
“Anneliese”, “Misery” and “One Life” are in the same vein, with hot vocals and melting guitar work. “Crossroads” is slower, almost like an anthem, as well as “Make Believe”, but plenty of groovy riffs.
Black Majesty also does here a superb cover of Gary Moore’s “Out In The Fields”, fast & heavy arranged and plenty of excellent harmony vocals. A highlight on the CD.
“Escape” ends the album with a fine main melody of true musicianship, and insanely epic, explosive guitar work.
“Cross Of Thorns” is perhaps the finest Power / Melodic Metal album I have heard in a good while, keeping the great vocals in time with the trepidating rhythm, all really clean and separated. Black Majesty is true Metal, sounding classy but modern, always polished.
“Cross Of Thorns” is a mandatory listen for true headbandgers, and while casual listeners may find the heavy riffs a bit tiring after the sixth track, the great melodies worth it reaching the end.
Quite Recommended.
01 – Phoenix
02 – Anneliese
03 – Vlad The Impaler
04 – Crossroads
05 – Out In The Fields (Gary Moore cover)
06 – Misery
07 – Make Believe
08 – One Life
09 – Emptiness Ideal
10 – Escape
John Cavaliere – Vocals
Stevie Janevski – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Hanny Mohamed – Guitars, Keyboards
Evan Harris – Bass
Ben Wignall – Drums
BUY IT !
www.emp-online.com/art_318391/
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