Majesty - Reign In Glory (2003)

Majesty's third album is longer (around an hour) than their last one, which was longer than the one before, as they go for more expansive, lengthy songs.
Unfortunately, this doesn't make for particlarly better music.
The first three tracks, "Heavy Metal Battlecry", "Into The Stadiums" and "Reign In Glory", proclaim heavy metal.  All of them. Even by the standards of such bands who love to wave the metal flag, this is overkill. Of course, the amusement factor is pretty high - the title song stating, "To all you fuckers making fun of this band, Don't you ever mess with our fans/Hey poser, we know what you do, so beware, we are huntin' for you".  Lyrics like that are going to encourage those fuckers to make fun of them less?
After these three, we get into all the battles of good versus evil - like on the album before, there's a song ("Lord Of The Damned") which is based on the 'forthcoming' (at the time) novel by vocalist Tarek Maghary, which is full of doom and proclaiming 666.  Don't metal bands ever get tired of that number?
It's all very passionate, all very genuine, and "Heavy Metal Battlecry" is a rip roaring piece. But, overall, the material here just isn't very inspiring. It gets point for effort, but not for execution.

***

Falconer - The Sceptre Of Deception (2003)

Falconer's third album was also their first after the temporary departure of vocalist Mathias Blad, and his replacement Kristoffer Göbel, while a bit gruffer, is still really good, and the band is now extended to an official five-piece.
What's really annoying about this record is something that's the case with way too many releases - the damn booklet information is so hard to read! Why do so many of these artists insist on small printing, together with dreadful colour co-ordination?  The song titles on the back are virtually impossible to make out. I've managed to work out some of the lyrics, but there's a lot of other printing, presumably about this story of sceptres and kings and things, that I haven't even attempted to decypher.
However, as with their first two releases, there's plenty of good music here, again heavily folk-influenced (with a notable lack of guitar solos), giving them a strong, medieval flavour, and such songs as "The Coronation", "Under The Sword", "Pledge Of Freedom" and "The Sceptre Of Deception" are very worthwhile.
Bad booklet presentation aside, this is another impressive release from a band who, so far, is winning me over.

***1/2

Adagio - Underworld (2003)

Adagio's second album has me wondering whether they really should be on this blog, since they're really much more progressive metal and power. Then again, there is some of the latter here, but what is really notable are all the orchestral arrangements. From piano to strings to choirs, Underworld has it all.  It's just a shame, then, that the songs themselves couldn't have been a bit better.  I know these kind of records can take a lot of work to get into (I said that about Adagio's debut, SANCTUS IGNIS), but I can only give individual albums so many spins, as I am greedy and have so much to listen to.
Anyway, this is a certainly impressive release, again obviously influenced by the likes of Symphony X, but it's a long way from holding me in raptures.

***

Dreamtale - Ocean's Heart (2003)

Dreamtale's second album is pretty much on par with their first, BEYOND REALITY, being very much in the typical power metal vein (both musically and lyrically), which is, of course, a plus for fans of the genre in itself, but the material is reasonable more than anything spectacular and, also like the debut, it goes on too long.

***

Human Fortress - Defenders Of The Crown (2003)

Human Fortress' second album is a remarkable leap in quality from their debut LORD OF EARTH AND HEAVEN'S HEIR, with a fine array of catchy, powerful songs, varying in tempo and also with touches of folk, as they sing of The Crusades, Roman gladiators and other such topics.  Topping it off are the great vocals of Jioti Parcharidis, helping make such songs as "Defenders Of The Crown", "Holy Grail Mine", "Schattentor" and "Mortal Sinful Wrath" fly. 
This is simply one of the best power metal albums of 2003, and it was such a shame they didn't release another one until 2008, because these Germans clearly know how to do it right.

****1/2

Balance Of Power - Heathen Machine (2003)

Balance Of Power's fifth and final studio album, and their only one with vocalist John K, takes them in a new, more complex direction, and it is arguably their best release of all.
After the brief introduction, only one of the eight remaining songs is under six minutes, but never do any of them outstay their welcome, and the band has not lost their gift for melody, as such songs as "I Wish You Were Here", "The Eyes Of All The World" and "Wake Up Call" show.
Heavy, driving but undeniably catchy, Heathen Machine is a most enjoyable listen, tinged with a bit of sadness, as one can't help but think this British band still had a lot more to offer if they could have lasted longer.

***1/2

Rage - Soundchaser (2003)

Rage just won't stop, and that's great, since they have brought out such a consistent body of work. While their albums mightn't ever reach true classic status, they don't release any duds either, and Soundchaser is another worthwhile effort, with guitarist/keyboardist Victor Smolski sharing the songwriting duties with Peavy Wagner, and such songs as "War Of Worlds", "Soundchaser" and "Human Metal" portray Rage at their best. The two-part conclusion "Falling From Grace" is a bit weak and, overall, considering the highs, it's a bit disappointing the album is a whole isn't better, but there's still much to like here, and there's something about Rage that just holds my respect throughout their long career.

***1/2