2006-01-16
I remember when Thy Mejestie's first album, The Lasting Power came out, I wasn’t overly impressed with it. The album, though containing some truly stellar instrumental abilities, sounded disjointed and lacking in a clear direction.
The band's second effort, Hastings 1066, hit me as quite a pleasant surprise, much stronger song writing, better production values, the band seemed to have taken Rhapsody's version of soundtrack-like epic power metal and give it a more down-to-earth spin, sounding professional and grandiose, and yet more raw and not as over-produced.
The band's third full length effort, Jeanne d'Arc, continues their theme of historically based lyrics and concept, again using fast and melodic power metal, but it seems even more mature and well-made than their last release.
The intro immediately starts off the epic orchestral proceedings, it sounds like the soundtrack for an epic historical war film, before bursting forth with the strong opener, Maiden Of Steel, an epic and fast track which throws in all of the band's immediate strengths, good melodic vocals, extremely capable guitar work, fast-double bass drumming, and a solid bass support, and some fine keyboard orchestral work, it all comes off as sounding melodic and virtuosic without sounding pompous or cartoonish.
Second track, The Chosen, has a more subtle, middle-age music themed melody, it veers a bit towards prog metal, but still maintains an accessible melody and memorable vocals.
...For Orleans is one of my favorite tracks on the album, starts off sounding like an instrumental piece before going into a really heavy power anthem, again, the band uses their craft carefully, they do not stuff the whole arsenal down your throat, rather planning their compositions in a very mature and well-planned manner.
This is easily one of the best power metal albums of this year, and its great to know this talented Italian band is still capable of making such classy, enjoyable albums.
Alon Miasnikov
