Jeanne D'arc is a small step back from Hastings 1066
Mr D. | Cave Creek, Az United States | 01/01/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1