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Black Majesty: Children Of The Abyss

Power Metal

3.5/5.0

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Pride & Joy Music
Released: 21.09.2018
Words: Craig Hartranft
Added: 12.09.2018

While I haven't heard from Australia's Black Majesty for sometime (since 2010's In Your Honour, I have some history with the band. When I was reacquainting myself with classic heavy metal, back at the beginning of the 21st century, a thoughtful independent record store owner and metalhead recommended I listen to Black Majesty (among other bands). My first introduction was 2003's Sands Of Time and 2005's Silent Company, two albums of solid and sound power metal. With two additional albums under their belts since my last listen, Black Majesty returns with their seventh LP, Children Of The Abyss.

Black Majesty

My original description, when discovering Black Majesty some 15 years ago, remains the same. The band delivers sound and solid traditional power metal. The most basic description for the band and the songs of Children Of The Abyss is that they are fast and heavy. It's a simple formula for Black Majesty: gallop from the gate with roaring riffs, a thundering bass line, and booming drums. Then let all things lead to oodles of ripping guitar solos. In the meantime, vocalist John Cavaliere tries to keep up and stay above the full-tilt, nonstop, power metal. Essentially, with the slight exception of the symphonic and piano start of Wars Greed, this formula defines every song across this album.

Needless to say, power metal fans will be both pleased that Black Majesty continues in the finest tradition of the genre. Power metal detractors, and they are abundant and vocal, will simply dismiss Black Majesty and Children Of The Abyss as a redundant barrage of the same old, same old. In other words, there's nothing new under the sun and, yeah, they may be right. But Children Of The Abyss does sound both bombastic and grand. Maybe both sides should meet in the mosh pit to duke it out.

Basically, and to ditto myself, if you're a fan of straight up, galloping, power metal, you will dig Black Majesty and their latest album, Children Of The Abyss.

Note: All Amazon advertising in this review first benefits the artist, then Craig Hartranft also receives a residual. Click, and thanks for your support.

Basically, if you're a fan of straight up, galloping, power metal, you will dig Black Majesty and their latest album, Children Of The Abyss.

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