Jeanne D'Arc [Import]

I agree with most of what the reviewer befor me said. This album is also less prog-inspired, and tehre fewer intro/interludes that help give that mediæval feel.

Favourites of mine: The Chosen, The Trial, Rise of a King, Siege Of Paris.

I recommend buying this album. It is much better than 'The Lasting Power'.

(Ps: in Hastings it was WILLIAM the Conqueror not Edward - Edward the Confessor was king before Harold)

Is it fair to compare follow-up albums to almost perfect, heavenly inspired recordings? I don't think so. Can it be helped. Probably not. This review will be a comparison between the magnificent Hasting 1066, in my opinion, a splendid album that I find to be almost perfect and Thy Majestie's long awaited follow-up album Jeanne D `Arc.

THY MAJESTIE

One has to applaud Thy Majestie. In an age when schools fail to adequately teach history, Thy Majestie teaches it with their music. In their previous release I learned about the Battle of Hastings, between Edward the Conqueror and King Harold II, a monumental battle that changed the course of French and English history. Now they have released their latest version of history, the story of Joanne of Arc.

For those who don't remember the story of Joanne, She was a seventeen year old peasant girl, who in 1428, received a vision from God that if she led the French army against the English, they would prevail. Eventually she convinced the powers to let her lead the French army, which she did, the following year, defeating the English in May of 1429. Ultimately Joanne was betrayed by some countrymen who sold her to the English, who put her on trial for heresy and witchcraft. She was found guilty and burned at the stake before her twentieth birthday. (Talk about sore losers)

Jeanne D `Arc

This album, for me, starts well and ends well but is soft in the middle. Although there are some very good individual songs the overall effect of the album is not contagious like Hastings. Even now comparing the two after having played Hastings well over a hundred times, Jeanne D `Arc falls short. Someone that has never heard Hastings, would probably think I'm knit picking but I'm afraid after my four year wait, Jeanne D `Arc is disappointing. Apparently there wasn't enough magical dust to go around.

For those who have never heard Thy Majestie's music, it is what I would call, Melodic, Symphonic, Power Metal but it is more than that. The band extensively makes use of choirs in it's music, thus it occasionally sounds like Therion. Unlike many of the one speed power metal bands, Thy Majestie utilizes symphonic introductions to many of the songs and variable tempos within. The music is sometimes bombastic and grandiose and other times almost folkish but it is always compelling.

Where I felt this album fell short in comparison to Hastings 1066 was in the melodies, choirs and introductions. On Hastings 1066 the melodies were galvanizing, never tiresome, the choirs were more diverse, prevalent and more effectively used and the introductions, which the album called suites set a tone that wasn't matched in Jeanne D `Arc. There was also a new lead singer and though I couldn't fault him, it's possible I preferred the previous one.

Highlight Songs

"Revelations" is a very nice lead in instrumental introduction featuring chanting monks, which segues into the bombastic up tempo number, "Maiden of Steel." This is a very energetic symphonic metal number, which I think is the second best song on the album. Next, "The Chosen," the best song, is the only piece that for me seems to capture the great melodies that emanated from Hastings 1066. It is a variable medium to medium fast song with a great melody and arrangement. The album closer "The Trial" is the album's second epic piece, changing moods and creating images over the sprawling 9-minute composition, bringing together the final moments of the heroine of the story.

Other songs of note are the eight minute, "...For Orleans," an epic journey of varied melodies and tempos. "March of the Brave," is a nice lead in to "Rise of the King," generally a medium fast tempo number with a prominent refrain. "Siege of Paris," is an ominous darker but intriguing song of varied tempos and strong use of the choirs.

CONCLUSION

To be sure, Jeanne D `Arc is a fine recording. It's only fault is that it follows, what I consider to be, not only the greatest Symphonic Power Metal album I've ever heard but also one of the greatest Melodic Symphonic Metal albums of all time. Unfortunately Jeanne D `Arc fails to reach the lofty heights achieved by it's predecessor, Hastings 1066. Though it has it's moments, for me, it fails to catch my imagination. It doesn't consistently grab and hold my attention. I'm sure there are many out there who would swear that Jeanne D `Arc is a masterpiece and I don't deny, it's close but not that close.

I don't know why these guys aren't better known - especially with the release of 'Jean D'Arc', which brings so much to the table in terms of size, scope and musicianship. I know that it is almost impossible not to draw parallels to Rhapsody when you hear these guys, but I think they definitely have something that Rhapsody has been lacking lately - and that is some serious raw shred.

The more I listen to 'Jean D'Arc', the more blown away I am. The symphonic arrangements are very intricate, yet massive, and are balanced by the solid guitar work and drumming. Each track is distinct, richly layered, and represents a different chapter in the story. I like the vocals a lot, too. I read a review (or maybe even several) that criticized the vocalist for his thick accent. I actually think that it makes the music more exotic and interesting - and I'm fine with an Italian guy having an Italian accent. Doesn't bother me that much. (Oh well, they canned him after this album, anyway)

Overall, this is incredible stuff. The production is pretty good, but some of the levels are way off, making certain parts extremely loud and if you listen to this right after listening to another CD, you may want to tone it down a tad. Besides that, we have a prime example of symphonic epic shred metal at its best.