Although “The Lasting Power” – Thy Majestie’s previous album – is said to be one of Scarlet Records’ best selling products, it didn’t leave many fans and press people shocked. They were said to be a Rhapsody clone, which was true of course, but despite good ideas and intentions, the songs on that album never reached a historical quality level.
But everyone deserves a second chance, although this is already Thy Majestie’s third album if we include the self-produced “Perpetual Glory” which was issued in 1999. As you probably already guessed, “Hastings 1066” is a concept album about the well known eponymous battle. From the intro “Rerum Memoria” on, the listener is warned that prejudices should not be made. The choirs and dark atmosphere of this short instrumental track immediately illustrate the tragedy that surrounds the epic story that unfolds on the rest of the album. And ‘epic’ is the right word to describe the songs on this platter. At least five songs have instrumental introductions that are heavily influenced by movie soundtracks: choirs, tambourines, flutes, etc. Every single way of evoking the feeling of watching an epic movie is used. These intermezzos are alternated with – sometimes fast, sometimes powerful – symphonic metal songs that by far exceed the quality of the previous album. Whereas the song material on “The Lasting Power” got boring and monotonous pretty quickly, tracks like “The Scream Of Taillefer” – on which Dario Grillo shows that he’s a good vocalist - are catchy and qualitative enough to stay in your mind and the higher amount of progressive influences – listen to the keyboard lines of Giuseppe Bondi - and rhythm changes make them highly interesting. The production of “Hastings 1066” was done by the to me unknown Giuseppe Orlando, who did a very good job. Of course, the fact that the disc was mastered by Mikka Jussila at the Finnvox Studios (Stratovarius, Nightwish, Sonata Arctica, etc.) didn’t do any harm to the sound quality… if you know what I mean.
It’s remarkable what a progression these Italians have made since their previous effort. Found in 1998, Thy Majestie have become a member of the extensive Italian quality metal brigade - lead by Rhapsody, Lab?rinth, etc. - in no more than 4 years! If the mediocre “The Lasting Power” already was one of Scarlet’s best selling albums, this will top their previous sales figures. This is not world class, but it certainly deserves my quality stamp! (
SL)
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steel blade
"Hastings 1066" is a truly masterpiece , in my opinion one of the best album of 2002. You have to listen it to understand what I mean. Epic , symphonic , progressive , melodic with a lot of passion and feelings. When I listen to it I see myself in the battlefield to fight and die with honour and pride. I say buy it !
Zanta
I bought this album after I've read the review on MetalReviews.com . I think that Thy Majestie is one of the best symphonic metal band ever."Hastings 1066" is a masterpiece, they have their personal and original sound , a sort of mix of Symphony X, Blind Guardian and Rhaposdy. The song writing of this album is absolutely brilliant!
The choirs truly are the the best I've ever heard in my life.Amazing! The production is very cristalline and powerful.
Buy or die!
AOR Ive
I bought this album because it was recommended by Carl at the LSP shop in Vosselaar and I'm glad I bought it eventualy .
Thy Majesty is operating in the same genre as Rhapsody and Labyrinth but they are definetly not as good as these two bands but this album is a damn fine record anyway . Maybe with their next album they will reach the same high level as the two forerunners of this genre of music . Recommended for fans of the symphonic / progressive metal genre .
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