ReinXeed Majestic
by Franco Cerchiari
Staff Writer
It is rare thing when after hearing a CD in it’s entirety and the final bars of the last track fade into black, the listener takes off the headphones, sets them down and thinks, “holy hell, what did I just hear?” But the word “hear” shouldn’t be used when listening to a CD – any CD, regardless of genre. To much better encapsulate the feeling one should have, instead the listener should be saying, “what did I just experience?” Such is the case here with ReinXeed’s Majestic. With soaring vocals that one swears would reach the heavens, furiously fast drums, layers of guitars and keyboards to die for, Majestic is a melodic power metal lover’s wet dream come true. Majestic is truly fitting title for this release, for each track contained herein is extravagant, ambitious, loud and pompous as one can feel of the banner being held high prior to being led into battle.
With a sound quite comparable to Stratovarius, Freedom Call, Derdian with touches of Royal Hunt, the ReinXeed story begins in Northern Sweden with Tommy Johansson putting together what would become his band’s first release, 2008’s The Light, with Higher being released in 2009. Keeping true to Johansson’s influences, Helloween, Edguy, Gary Moore and Skid Row’s Sebastian Bach, Majestic does each of these proud with tight musicianship, a vocalist who can certainly wail with the best of them and each track complete with passion and fervor.
Such fervor can be felt with the keyboard heavy, “Deep Under Sea,” which during the intro finds Johansson’s voice reaching into the upper octaves as he belts out a sung note that leaves the listener speculating how can a man sing so high. From that moment, the double bass drums, incredible synthesizers, galloping monster sized guitar chords, dual killer guitar solos and melodic vocal harmonies during the chorus all make this the track, if for no other reason alone than to pick up this new release. This track is beyond good for it is powerful, passionate and full of life.
As this track begins to fade, the pomp and circumstance spoke of earlier comes into full focus as the instruments and voices get louder until the abrupt end. Listen as well to the tuneful “Never Lie,” the synthesizer heavy intro of “Sword in Stone,” the choral arrangements of the mid-tempo “Once Upon A Time,” the melodic guitars of “Melody of Life,” the orchestral “Atlantis,” the beautiful, calming piano of the soothing ballad “Second Chance,” and the length of a single held note done by Johansson during the intro of “My Paradise,” is nothing short of astounding. This thrilling release continues with the hurrying “My Paradise,” the feverishly paced drums of “Neverland,” and one has to hear the towering vocals and furiously fast guitars of “Invincible.”
Power metal – real power metal – is, by all accounts, a complicated task to pull off. If not done right, it becomes evident quickly, and then, it makes it difficult to want to hear the remainder of the CD. So when such a CD as Majestic comes along, it is truly is a release to want to latch on to. These are melodies brimmed with songwriting and musicianship that pitch and heave and then pull back perfectly. The music flows from start to finish, and keeps the listener enthralled to want to hear the next track. While certainly the keyboards and guitars are a monstrous part of this CD, they never come across as domineering, but yet instead add to the overall feel. They add to the storyline and are used in such a way to accentuate a particular passage, a movement or passion. But yet are still played with such enthusiasm that the sound is inescapable.
Only time will tell if ReinXeed will find a permanent foothold in the melodic power metal scene. But if such future releases are as perfectly done as Majestic is, then to them will come legions of fans ready to make this band one of their own.
As spoke of in the first paragraph of this review – this was truly a great experience.
Genre – Symphonic Power Metal
Musicians
Tommy Johansson – vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass guitar and orchestration
Mattias Johansson – guitars and backing vocals
Calle Sundberg – guitars and backing vocals
Nic Svensson – bass guitars
Viktor Olofsson – drums, percussion
Track Listing
Deep Under Sea
Invincible
Never Lie
Once Upon A Time
Melody of Life
Atlantis
Second Chance
My Paradise
Neverland
Lightning Strokes Again
Sword in Stone
Label – Rivel Records
Hardrock Haven Rating: 9/10