What is the origin of the name, BLACK MAJESTY? A small briefing history, background information please!
We wanted something powerful and we liked the word 'Majestic'. We also liked the idea of incorporating Australia's ties with the English monarchy and came up with the idea 'Majestic Black' which I guess questions the validity of the monarchy in this day and age. After a group decision we all agreed ‘Black Majesty’ flowed a little better and gave it more of a 'metal' feel.
Who’s idea raising up a Metal band like Black Majesty?
Black Majesty was originally put together as a side project as we were all in other bands at the time. As time went on I guess we all developed a mutual chemistry with one another and a musical direction we all felt strong about. Songs started to come together and positive live reviews got us thinking about doing an album. What was a project to begin with turned into a full time thing because everything just clicked so well.
How long has the band been together, line-up changes notwithstanding?
The band has been together for roughly about two years. I guess it took us a little while to get the concrete line up together as we went through a few bass players until our newest member Mark Kelson (ex - Cryptal Darkness) took over. Mark has been a great recruit for the band not only for his great bass playing but also for his back up vocal range which strengthens what we do.
What’s the writing process in the band like?
Each band member writes in this band. Sometimes it's a group 'jam' and other times someone may have an idea that we all build on. With everyone writing it's great because we get to try lots and lots of ideas and democratically choose what works best for the song.
I’ve heard your debut album a few days ago and the results are amazing to me!
Great Melodic Power Metal , reminds me a lot to Jag Panzer, especilally the singer.
Was it the band’s intention playing that Jag Panzer style or not?
We all had an idea of what we wanted to sound like in the beginning but it wasn't the case of us trying to copy any band or bands. We're all huge fans of many different styles of metal but definitely collectively love traditional bands like Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, early Queensryche, Accept, early Dokken etc. We're happy to wear our influences on our sleeve. There's been many comparisons put on us by others and were happy to be mentioned in the same breath as Jag Panzer or Fifth Angel or even Helloween because they are also favourites of ours - so it's only a positive in my eyes. Comparisons to other bands is something we don't worry about too much as they can go on forever and can be different to people so given the bands mentioned are ones we all appreciate it's a great compliment. At the end of the day we do what we do and hopefully if people like those influences they can have a chance to hear Black Majesty and make their own mind up.
What’s the response to the CD been like amongs Metal maniacs world wide?
Even at this early stage we are truly overwhelmed with the response we've had so far,. We've had some great reviews from magazines like Rock Hard ( voted in the top 10 dynamite for the months releases), Heavy Oder Was!?, Canada's BW & BK, and Kerrang here in Australia. Emails and letters from people have been coming in from all over the world and that is always a huge buzz for any new band especially us hailing from the little island of Australia. Even before we were signed to LMP we had great interest in our original 3 track promo sampler, scoring some fantastic reviews in some of the best metal mags and web sites around the world as well as some very kind words from people who heard us on best unsigned samplers like Unerhort! and Metal Crusade. So thus far we have been quite humbled by the response and of course are quite buzzed that metalheads have taken to what we do.
Where did you get the inspiration building up a new Metal song?
Some of our songs are inspired from a fantasy lyrical point of view and other times everyday life. We also write some songs from a simple guitar riff or drum pattern. It's always changing and that makes it interesting for us. Because we're all huge fans of metal we are also inspired by other bands whether it be old or new. Watching movies are also great for inspiration whether it be old classics like Excalibur , newer films like the Matrix or a host of Sci Fi flicks.
What’s your favorite track on the album and why?
My personal favorite song on Sands of Time is 'Guardian'. I was really pleased with the way the band collectively constructed the parts to give it a power metal and progressive feel that really sets the mood. The standout thing about 'Guardian' is the awesome vocal work from our singer John Cavaliere and his cousin Danny Cecati (ex Pegazus/ current Eyefear singer). I can still remember the chills I got down my spine as these two belted out the song in the studio. I think it truly is a world class vocal effort!
Being involved with a Record Label such as LMP is a big deal, right.
Any further plans with that major label or just wait and see later on?
We have signed a 5 album deal with LMP so they are our new home. We've been really pleased with what they've done for the band and we're thrilled to be part of a family that has released some of our favorite bands (like Rhapsody etc). Like I said before, we're all huge fans of metal music and to be part of LMP is something we're all proud of yet at the same time we're all looking to launch ourselves as the new metal band on the block.
So, a brandnew Metal band from Australia will surprises many Metalheads(incl. myself!!) with a beauty of a debut album. I can imagine that gives a special feeling inside your Metal hearts, right?
Definitely. We're all really proud of the album. We spent quite a bit of time road-testing songs on the local live scene downunder and tried to capture a quality sound in the studio that reflects what we're about. We're all looking forward to give the album a big launch and hopefully get over to Europe and tour the album in the future.
How’s the Australian Metal scene these days. Once there was a great big Thrash Metal band called Hobbs Angel Of Death…did you know these guys or did you never heard of them before?
Yes, my brother is actually well connected with Hobbs Angels of Death going back to when Peter Hobbs was in a band called Tyrus. He also managed Hobbs AOD for a little while as well when he was with SPV. I recently got the Hobbs re-releases on cd. I thought it was cool how they released the early demos on this Satan's Crusade album which is cool from a retro-metal point of view. It certainly will be interesting to hear the new album. As to the Australian scene it seems to go up and down but like most scenes its always there. Right now I would say it is on the rise again with lots of bands again surfacing with varied metal styles - Eyefear, Enter Twilight, Dungeon, Vanishing Point, Daysend, Black Steel, The Eternal, Dark Order, Infernal Method, to name a few.
Honestly, I’ve got a friend in Australia by the name of Zoran. Great guy playing in a furious Thrash Metal band Dark Order! Ever heard of them before?
Yes Zoran is a very cool guy - a very proud Manowar nutter!! I guess I got to speak to him first a long time ago when I was in another hard rock band called Cyclone Tracy which toured Sydney quite a lot over the last decade so I think he might have just started Dark Order when we first talked. Dark Order have been plugging away for a couple of years now and its great to see they have progressed well. To explain myself a little more we are from the city of Melbourne and the Dark Order are from Sydney. I saw them play here about a year ago. I think and they were very good - brutal in fact!
What about the touring plans…maybe a gig in Belgium?
Black Majesty are very keen to play anywhere that wants them. To do some of the festivals like Wacken, Bang Your Head or Sweden Rock would be great exposure and a huge buzz for us. But we also love playing the clubs so if there is any chance for us to do some kind of tour of Europe and include Belgium we would jump at the opportunity. I guess we first have to see how the album sells and if there is demand for us to do some shows we will do everything we possibly can to do it.
Perhaps it’s a fucked up question asking a band like Black Majesty what’s your point of view of other genres such as Black or Death Metal. Some respect or No Thanx to that style of Metal?
I'm not a hundred percent sure where I sit. I respect that there are other styles of metal and I guess that keeps things fresh so of course it's a positive but what bothers me is the segregation of many of the metal sub-styles and maybe more so the fans of these sub styles. It seems very split from early days of metal where if you liked heavy metal you liked heavy metal even if there were some bands you liked less. Now days it seems more like infighting if that makes sense - bands not being heavy enough or not satanic enough or goth enough? How long is a piece of string?. I think there's definitely a place for more extreme styles like Black and Death metal and the art of it is something special for those that are into that. I listen lots of different styles so I don't really have a problem with it and am pro choice so I guess I have a strange perspective for you?
Your faves of all time please and why.
As I said we're all into traditional metal in a big way within the band but some of our faves differ slightly from a hard rock to very thrashy kind of way.
Here's my personal favorite albums of all time :
Judas Priest - British Steel (one of the first albums I bought that got me into metal. A classic)
Black Sabbath - Heaven and Hell ( the combination of Dio and Iommi was scary)
Rainbow - Rising (great songs, great voice, great guitarist)
Iron Maiden - Number of the Beast (great songs and fantastic dual guitar work …I saw this tour live in Oz and Murray and Smith blew me away)
Queensryche - Operation Mindcrime (the best concept album to date)
Ozzy Osbourne - No More Tears (Zakk Wylde's guitar tone made me go and buy a Gibson Les Paul)
Well, thank you for your precious time anyway. All the best with the band and if you want something to say...shoot!
Just a big thank you to you and everyone for their support, Even at this early stage
It has been really inspiring and cool to meet up with lots of new metal people!
People can write to the band at black_majesty@hotmail.com and checkout our web site for all news Black majesty at www.blackmajesty.com
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