On disc: Majesty

 
 Keep It True
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Sword & Sorcery
 
- Volker Raabe -
 
 


 
 Own The Crown (Best of)
 
- Mike Thompson -
 
 

Own The Crown (Best of)

(Massacre Records - 2011)



 
 

 

Back in 2008 the popular heavy / power metal band Majesty changed its name to Metalforce and released one self-titled album which, although excellent, was stylistically exactly the same as what had been released under the Majesty banner. Jump to 2011 and the name changes back to Majesty and we get a huge 'Best Of' album spanning all the band's albums along with two new tracks, several re-recorded songs and the very first demo.



Majesty, for those who don't know the band already, play a brand of guitar-driven power metal which takes much inspiration from classic Manowar. Its bombastic, cheesy, over-blown and quite simply awesome!



Own The Crown is spread across two discs. The first is the 'best of' section and there can really be no complaints about a Majesty track list that starts with the classic Metal Law, which features Udo Dirkschneider providing some guest vocals and the sublime Sword And Sorcery. There are so many songs that could have been included on here, including my favorite Dance With The Demon, but Majesty have done a great job of picking great songs from the back catalogue from the anthemic Keep It True to Guardians Of The Dragongrail.



If this was just a 'best of' album there would be little I could recommend about it, despite the awesome songs. I'd tell you to just go and buy the albums and get even more epic power metal to enjoy! However, there is that other disc...



Disc two kicks off with two brand new Majesty songs. Own The Crown and Metal On The Road are both typical Majesty headbangers with chugging riffs and stirring metal-centric lyrics! Following this there are three re-recorded songs, including Halloween which was originally released as a single under the Metalforce monicker. Another Metalforce song follows in the German language ballad Geh Den Weg which has been remastered for this compilation. Next up are two of the songs from the 2006 Sons Of A New Millenium EP; the fist-pumping Make It, Don't Break It and a slow but beautiful orchestral version of Guardians Of The Dragongrail. Troopers Of Steel from the Metal Law live album follows this before we are treated to the rare tracks from the first Majesty demo.



If you already have the Majesty back catalogue this second disc will only be of interest for the new songs but for those who don't this is a good package that shows different elements of Majesty's sound. The worst tracks were always going to be the four demo songs but this is merely due to the untouched demo quality. The songs themselves are actually really good and show the roots of the band.



I thoroughly enjoyed this compilation album. It contained loads of songs I love and a few gems I'd not heard before. I guess this is the real purpose of this sort of album. Of course, it is obviously full of previously released material so neither older fans, who probably have most of them already, nor casual fans, who aren't worried about hearing every Majesty release, should feel the need to part with their hard-earned cash for just a couple of new songs and some remastered stuff. Musically I'd rate this 9.5. As a best of compilation it is still very good however so 8 stars it is!







 
 










Mike Thompson


  
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Sword & Sorcery

(Massacre Records - 2002)



 
 

 

I guess there isn't one German metal fan who isn't waiting desperately for the release of this album. Now the time of waiting is over, coz the newcomer of the year 2001 is now releasing their first album on Massacre Rec. which is called Sword & Sorcery.



The title track shows that the Germany use all and every cliché. Majesty are Germany's Manowar have a certain magic. They put you under a spell with songs like Fields Of War as well as the hymn Heavy Metal which starts with an intro of spoken words and deals with religion. On that song some guitar parts are played by former Manowar guitarist Ross the Boss. The album is produced by Tarek and this time they not just have the attitude of Manowar also the song writing is done in the way of the NY-heroes. Beside that Tarek's screams remind me a little of Eric Adams... At least the most important thing is that the band found a balance between their own sound and copying. I really like the European touch of Majesty and songs like the bombastic hymn Epic War, the powerful Fist Of Steel as well as the vinyl bonus track Ride And Fight (Hail And Kill) which is close to their musical heroes. The fighters for true metal found a way Sword & Sorcery to get as close as possible to Manowar's sound without copying like no other did before in my opinion. What more can you ask for? A powerful production and killer songs (for true metal heads), both you'll find on this album.



The cover artwork is done by Ken Kelly who is doing the covers of Manowar and it's great! The musicians stick to their style and so the artwork is pure cliché and shows blood-soaked fields of war! This is really a metal album! So, get down on your knees and pray!



Only the release date isn't chosen very well, coz in the same quarter their heroes released Warriors Of The World. Which nerd chose that release date? But in the metal underground the word of mouth it more important than any promotion. Support this band, coz they deserve it!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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Keep It True

(self-released - 2002)



 
 

 

Unbelievable that a band like this isn't signed! Hope that someone will be so smart to sign them.... For a self-produced album the band of singer Tarek Maghary delivered a CD with a really decent sound which not every newcomer has. Musically they are following the path of Manowar, but they have own identity. Great refrains (e.g. Keep It True, Son Of Metal and Hail To Majesty), screaming guitar riffs (We Will Ride) and powerful melodies (Metal Force). Epic parts in the middle of the song with spoken words, partly in German (Strong As Steel - Stark wie Stahl) show the variety of the band. Unfortunately there is a filler on the album - Into The Night - there I would have preferred another 5 minutes long spoken words intro...
If you like Wizard and Sacred Steel, then you will like these guys, too. There isn't one fast track on Keep It True, all songs are mid-tempo, but that seems to be a natural process and so the songs get this touch of an anthem. This is real true metal! Support newcomers which are on such a high level and order this CD for 20,- DM (+ 3,- DM p&p) at monarchs@gmx.de from Tarek and his mates! A gem of true metal!
 
 










Volker Raabe
(translation: Claudia Ehrhardt)


  
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