CD Review: Majesty - Own The Crown

Artist: Majesty
Title: Own The Crown
Genre: True / Heavy Metal
Release Date: 2nd September 2011
Label: Massacre Records

Album Review

MAJESTY, also known as METALFORCE, comes from Germany and adopts ‘True Metal’ as its musical “flag”; their music is very much in a style akin to MANOWAR. Of course they’ve even at one point sighed with MANOWAR own label and toured alongside them. Their albums gained a good fan base. In the spirit, their singer, Tarek Maghary, is known to organise “Keep It True” festival for the traditional Heavy Metal bands. ‘Own The Crown’ is hailed as their “come-back” CD featuring a selection of their best songs, the second CD contains two new songs (‘Own The Crown’, ‘Metal On The Road’) as well as some collectible songs from demo tapes and such likes as is the custom on these fan/new audience-orientated releases. The first CD is obviously aimed at those new to the band as the old fans will have all these songs already and those will be more interested in the collectibles and the new songs on the second CD, not surprisingly the two CD-set is put on “special price”.

‘Metal Law’ is indeed one of the best songs, therefore a great opening for the first disc. It’s a classic anthem for the style, a manifesto of a kind, with its appropriate glorious and heroic proclamations what befits the ‘Metal Lords’. It also features Udo Dirkschneider from U.D.O. ‘Sword & Sorcery’ will indeed remind you why they’re so often compared to MANOWAR. I must say I enjoy the music more than the simple lyrics that make Brothers Grimm sound as obscure avant-garde texts. The music does evoke the fantasy atmosphere and I enjoy the vocals here, they are the song’s best element. ‘Keep It True’ I’ll single out for another spirited anthem of their credos. ‘Aria Of Bravery’ for its piano parts and for being a beautiful ballad and though a ballad it has this lively spirit within it. The first CD indeed comes back to expressing the faithful dedication to Heavy Metal; these guys are truly serving their genre with a bright fire and a loyal and passionate heart. As a whole it shows their epic songs and I feel that the selection was done well to represent their music over the years.

The second CD starts with the two new songs and of course will be a great matter of interest to their fans. Of course they’ve not taken on any of the later Metal and its myriad sub-genre heads, they’re though sounding quite fresh. Though it’s of course fast and fierce with some Power Metal drive included, they seem to be mellower, or maybe better said, more comfortable within their musical skins. I have to say though that for some reason the vocals seem to be more hushed towards the second half - more pushed behind the music, strongest at the refrain of course, but there it is... The organ part towards the end closes the song excellently. ‘Metal On The Road’ is pretty much another typical song of their True Metal manifestos. I’ve liked the echo on the refrain and its rugged feel, but on the other hand, I think there’s too much of this by now, but then they want to come back and I guess they have a need to re-affirm their path. After these songs you’ll find another ballad ‘Snow Is On The Mountains’ though MAJESTY’s fans will be interested as this demo version is new to their ears, however, the two other slower songs ‘Geh Den Weg’ in its re-mastered version and the orchestral ‘Guardians Of The Dragongrail’ were more remarkable to me, in terms of being more interesting and unique. As some of the songs on here were from demos way back in their career and from some limited editions they will of course raise appeal to their die-hards.

To new and old fans it’s a worthy collection, showing their best and giving a good idea of what they’re about and for.


Tracklist

Line-up

Tarek „MS“ Maghary - Vocals and orchestration
Tristan Visser - Guitars
Alex Palmer - Bass
Jan Raddatz - Drums and percussion


Websites

http://www.majesty-metal.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/majestytruemetal


Cover Picture




Rating