Stargazer

This album my first serious exposure to the band I must confess that I'm quite impressed with what I hear. Stargazer is very well rounded Power Metal release, infused with lots of Maiden-esque melodies and touches. While vocals could be improved, they are varied enough in range and scope but there are some register where the singer should definitely work on, though I'm sure it's every singer wish to improve over time, and that holds true for any artist I guess. The guitar work presented here is a mix of great riffs and melodies mixed with more traditional, almost too much so at times, power metal guitar framework. Somehow it makes the more original work shine through though. Be it solos or faster guitar melodies (some of them carrying full songs, like the excellent opener Falling). The rhythm section is fine but a little too stiff or at least on the safe side I guess. The main attraction of Stargazer would have to be the vocal melodies, though weirdly enough the main title song is particularly weak in this area (but compensated by good riffing and amazing guitar melodies opening the song brilliantly). There are some great songs, and a few more plain (filler) ones, but overall the album is quite pleasant from start to finish. There are times when the bands remind me of other acts, Iron Maiden comes to mind for some of the melodic riffs, no doubt one of the band's inspiration, on the "sweeter" moments (ballads, slower moments), I sometimes get a Iced Earth and even Human Fortress vibe here and there. The score could have been higher if the album didn't lose steam towards the end (ending on a particularly common, borderline boring ballad). While the band won't score much point on the originality factor, the Power Metal blend that they play; they play it well, to some great effect sometimes. While there tends to be less good Power Metal releases these days (imho), Black Majesty delivers a great slab of simple yet highly enjoyable Power Metal. With little faults and mostly great vibe, energy and melodies, Stargazer is a great album that any fan of the genre should check out.