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Melodic/Power Metal

Rating: 4.0/5.0

www.thymajestie.com
Dark Balance Records
www.myspace.com/thymajesty

Italian metal band Thy Majestie means well even if another album seems like more of the same. I'm sure the jump to the small Dutch label Dark Balance Records invigorated their enthusiasm. However, 'Dawn' really breaks little new musical ground for Thy Majestie. If that merely makes them consistent, then that's always a good thing; and it's a strong comeback after switching labels.

If there are some novel nuances on 'Dawn,' they come in the form of two things: a strong emphasis on keyboards and a return to basic power metal construct for a foundation. This is apparent on the first two tracks, 'As You Fall' and 'M.A.D.,' and the last two tracks, 'Day Of Changes' and 'Through Heat And Fire.' On the first pair, keyboards play a formidable and pleasing role. On the last pair, you have general power metal, good but hardly memorable.

Where Thy Majestie seems to excel on 'Dawn' is when the drift toward more melodic metal or bring in some prog nuances. Regarding the former look to the excellent instrumental segues 'Dawn' and 'Inferis Armata,' and 'Out The Edge,' melodic metal with strong guitar work. As for the later, both 'To An Endless Devotion' and 'Two Minutes Hate' invoke some progressive character being a bit more complex and challenging.

Thy Majestie's 'Dawn' is a good work and some my find it necessary to listen to it more than once to enjoy. Generally, I found myself liking the work, but at the same time wondering when I was going to hear something new or get to the end.
   - Craig Hartranft

Thy Majestie really brings nothing new to the table on 'Dawn,' except for their consistent creation of bombastic and epic melodic power metal mixed with some progressive spices here and there. This will be a delight to fans of the band and the genre: a strong comeback after switching to a new label.

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The Powell Payne project, created in 2022 is the collaboration of Mark "Penfold Powell (ex-drummer of Psycho Kiss) and Adam Payne (former vocalist of Airrace). With guitarist Adam Davies and keyboard player ... [ Read More ]