Maximum Metal Rating Legend
5 Excellent - Masterpiece. A classic.
4.5-4 Great - Almost perfect records but there's probably a lacking.
3.5 Good - Most of the record is good, but there may be some filler.
3 Average - Some good songs, some bad ones at about a half/half ratio.
2.5-2 Fair - Worth a listen, but best obtained by collectors.
1.5-1 Bad - Major problems with music, lyrics, production, etc.
0 Terrible - Waste of your life and time.

Note: Reviews are graded from 0-5, anything higher or not showing is from our old style. Scores, however, do not reveal the important features. The written review that accompanies the ratings is the best source of information regarding the music on our site. Reviewing is opinionated, not a qualitative science, so scores are personal to the reviewer and could reflect anything from being technically brilliant to gloriously cheesy fun.

Demos and independent releases get some slack since the bands are often spent broke supporting themselves and trying to improve. Major releases usually have big financial backing, so they may be judged by a heavier hand. All scores can be eventually adjusted up or down by comparison of subsequent releases by the same band. We attempt to keep biases out of reviews and be advocates of the consumer without the undo influence of any band, label, management, promoter, etc.

The best way to determine how much you may like certain music is to listen to it yourself.
Band
Majesty
Title
Reign In Glory
Type
LP/EP
Company
Massacre
YOR
2003
Style
Heavy/Extreme
5/4/2004 - Review by: Eric Compton
Majesty - Reign In Glory 2003 Massacre Records reviewed by: EC

Track Listing
1. Heavy Metal Battlecry
2. Into The Stadiums
3. Reign In Glory
4. Will Of The Cobra
5. Defender Of The Brave
6. Lord Of The Damned
7. Heroes
8. Thunder In The Silence
9. Troopers Of Steel"
10. Falcon In The Storm
11. Battle Hymn" Bonus Track
Okay, I'm a sucker. Just call me crazy. I love these guys. Yeah, I know, I know. Majesty is a poor man's Manowar. I absolutely adore Majesty's last album, "Sword & Sorcery", with its simplistic form of metal expression. Simple one groove riffs, and a singer that borrows heavily from Eric Adams. But I felt "Sword & Sorcery" was like a good fantasy novel. Easily understood, very atmospheric, and extremely well told with its descriptive stories of bloodshed on the battlefield. It worked for me, I was feeling it.

In early 2003 it was announced that former Vanize guitarist Rolf Munkes had joined Majesty. I really enjoyed Munkes on the Vanize material, with his groovy, heavy styled hard rock riffs and almost inspirational leadership for bands. The guy has attitude, and a mean streak for playing loud guitar. The combination of Majesty and Munkes is one of puzzlement however. I felt that "Sword & Sorcery" was different and refreshing because it didn't ROCK like other German acts. In fact Majesty never rocked, nor did they get along at blistering pace, instead they simply played smooth, calculated rythmns that were well thought out, as if creating a battlefield enviroment, completely building up to a violent crescendo by simply marching to the front instead of charging. I like that in a band sometimes, and it worked well with Majesty. Munkes' style of playing is the exact opposite, with in your face speed chargers being his sole weapon of choice. So how did the combo do? Well...

Opener "Heavy Metal Battlecry" is a damn firestorm, blazing by at light speed, with Munkes blistering the strings in madman fashion. Completely over the top, like Manowar on the proverbial steroids. The great thing is with the opener, they still have the sing-along chorus that I loved from the last album. This is just total attitude, mean and ravaging and still managing to be a well oiled, well placed metal machine that sounds very polished and crisp. "Into The Stadiums" follows like really good Scorpions, with cheesy, "metal is our life" lyrics. Ya gotta love it!

Tracks like "Lord Of The Damned" beg to be cranked high, fists in the air, fighting the world in grand metal fashion. The same can be said for face smashers like "Troopers Of Steel" and "Defender Of The Brave". The band even stops for the appropriate Manowar styled ballads "Thunder In The Silence" and "Falcon In The Storm".

Majesty just simply rule with class, talent, and metal passion. Few bands can play this style of music; the cheesy power anthems of the world. Majesty do it and do it well. "Reign In Glory" is every bit as good as "Sword & Sorcery", and find the band well on its way to becoming the next Manowar. Now if they can just work on getting those global groupies...


--EC 05.06.04
  • 1 :REVIEW COUNT
    N/A :AVE RATING

ALL REVIEWS FOR: MAJESTY
TITLE
DOR
COMPANY
REVIEWER DATE MADE RATING
Reign In Glory
2003
Massacre
Eric Compton5/4/2004
-
Sword & Sorcery
2002
Massacre
Eric Compton4/22/2003
-

ALL INTERVIEWS FOR: MAJESTY
INTERVIEW INTERVIEWER DATE TAGLINE


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