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BLACK MAJESTY - TOMORROWLAND
LMP RECORDS
METAL TO INFINITY
Since 2003, the band Black Majesty opt for a bi-annual release, starting with ''Sands Of Time'', followed by ''Silent Company'' and recently the make it or break it ''Tomorrowland''. Although this band is hailing from down under, they succeeded in some supporting gigs to promote ''Silent Company'' in Europe. Having performed at Headbangers Open Air in Germany and supporting Hammerfall and Edguy at the Czech Metal Fest, it seemed like the European metal heads embraced this Australian quartet. Once back home, they had another highlight in their career by supporting Dragonforce in their native country, before starting composing and recording the new songs for their third album. Now, things are said and done, and that release is available by Limb Music since the first of June 2007.
The production of this third output is once again by Endel Rivers who worked with Vanishing Point, among others in the past. This talent is able to catch the perfect sound in the mixing desk and create a totality of well sounding Heavy Metal, just the way like Heavy Metal should sound. Convincing, some dark elements to keep it mystique, and above all intense and sometimes speedy melodies, gather together in superb tracklist that is maintained all the way.
Tomorrowland kicks of with a perfect opener: 'Forever Damned', which guides you through a speed metal track that has all necessary ingredients to lift this track to a perfect opener for the upcoming gigs. Great vocal melody lines by John Cavaliere, drive forward rhythms by Stevie Janevski (guitars) and Hanny Mohamed (guitars and keys), and last but not least great drumming by Pavel Konvalinka. Backing vocals got support from Silvio Massaro, known as singer for Vanishing Point, and they are mixed in between the guitar duels that appear frequently and gives the band the surplus value that is reflected by their nomination to 'best new metal band' by native fans.
Pointing out the best tracks is a hard nut to crack, because the whole album contains well composed, intense and interesting material, but perhaps some small details will lift songs like 'Into The Black', 'Faces Of War' and 'Evil In Your Eyes' above the others. Those metal fans that are into a cover track now and then should get hold of 'Soldier Of Fortune', which is originally performed and recorded by Ritchie Blackmore and David Coverdale legends.
Parallel to the regular CD, there will also be a limited edition Digipack release, which will contain two bonus tracks, 'Kingdoms' and 'Memories', so fans know what to look for! While winter is taking hold of Australia, the band comes back to Europe for a second time to have several festival appearances (Wacken Open Air, Masters Of Rock, European Metal Universe etc...) and you will be able to see the band open for other great values like Blind Guardian and Masterplan. 2007 might become the year of Black Majesty, so you better be warned!!! My rating: 94/100
Patrick de Sloover on behalf of Metal To Infinity Webzine