Majestica - Power Train - review
Majestica - Power Train - review
Tracklist
01. Power Train02. No Pain, No Gain
03. Battle Cry
04. Megatrue
05. My Epic Dragon
06. Thunder Power
07. A Story In The Night
08. Go Higher
09. Victorious
10. Alliance Anthem
A review by
AndyMetalFreak April 05, 2025
The lighthearted, joyful melodies and fantastical (and often cheesy) lyrics of power metal aren't for everyone; additionally, it's evolved less than some other metal genres over the years, so it can be easy to tell based purely on past experience with the style whether a new band or album will be worth your time. To go with that, the sheer volume of bands continually forming, particularly from Germany and Scandinavia, makes it tricky for emerging acts in the genre to stand out from the crowd. One band that's managed to succeed in doing so, though, is Majestica.
This band originally established themselves under their previous name ReinXeed after forming in 2002, but they decided on a fresh start in 2019 under a new moniker. The group are inspired by the likes of Helloween, Rhapsody of Fire, and Stratovarius, and have developed quite a large fan base since re-emerging as Majestica with the release of their highly acclaimed 'debut', Above The Sky. The following year, they treated us to their theatrical take on the festive Charles Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, after which founding guitarist Alexander Oriz departed. For their third offering, Power Train, new rhythm guitarist Petter Hjerpe joins drummer Joel Kollberg and founding members Tommy Johansson (vocals/guitar) and Chris David (bass).
The title of Power Train is simple, catchy and slightly on the corny side, which reflects heavily on the music, welcoming you aboard a train that takes you on an epic voyage through a world of fantasy. The album features 10 songs, which includes 3 unforgettable power anthems in "Power Train," "Battle Cry," and "A Story In The Night". The opening title track is the first of the impressive hit singles, and from its epic orchestrations, powerful ultra-melodic riffs, and adrenaline-fuelled rhythm, to its almighty catchy chorus, this is a very well-crafted and memorable song, making for an excellent way to start the album off.
However, It isn't the symphonics, backing choirs, catchy riffs (with a particularly memorable one featured in "Battle Cry"), impressive solos, or general high standard of songwriting that sets this band apart from their many peers, but rather the terrific vocal performance. Tommy Johansson really is an unsung hero in the world of power metal, highly accomplished with exceptional talent, and his passion and range is right up with the very best in modern power metal today.
Tommy's performance fires on all cylinders throughout Power Train, not only in the vocal department, but wih his exceptional solos as well. The introduction of Hjerpe certainly adds fire to the equation, as he immediately fits into the role. The symphonic elements are also impressively orchestrated without going over the top, and the exciting rhythm section continues to be the glue that holds everything together.
I wouldn't consider myself a big power metal fan these days personally, but occasionally an album such as Power Train gives me hope that my inner flowery self isn't completely lost. This is a heavy headbanging delight that goes beyond just a bit of lighthearted humourous fun, brimming with catchy anthems that'll surely make an end-of-year playlist for not only power metal fanatics, but for metalheads outside of the genre too.
Rating breakdown
| Performance: | 8 |
| Songwriting: | 8 |
| Originality: | 4 |
| Production: | 8 |
Written on 05.04.2025 by
Written on 05.04.2025 by
An honest review that you don't necessarily have to agree with. Comments
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