On disc: Metalforce

 
 Metalforce
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Metalforce
 
- Mike Thompson -
 
 

Metalforce

(Magic Circle Music - 2009)



 
 

 

As I'm sure most people will know by now Metalforce were formally known as Majesty, one of the most well known power metal bands to come out of Germany, responsible for such quality albums as Reign In Glory (2003) and the album I feel is the pinnacle of this sort of metal; Hellforces (2006).

So does the name change bring with it a difference in style? The answer, quite simply, is no. Metalforce have stuck very much to their roots with this album and I for one am very happy about that as they are one of the better bands playing this style of music. All this means, of course, that fans of Majesty will know what to expect from Metalforce – pure Manowar worship with, to me, a slightly fresher sound. This is cheesy, fist-pumping 'true metal' at its very best.

The lyrics are what you would expect; tales of warriors, valor and honor, battles with dragons and evil-doers and throughout the whole album the spirit of brotherhood that we all love about metal shines through.

From start to finish the songs are quality power metal, ranging from speed fests such as Faster, Louder, Metalforce to lighter-waving ballads such as When The Valkyries Fly. In fact the only thing I can really pull this album down for is the quite frankly shoddy production that makes it sound rather muffled. Compare this to Majesty's Hellforces and you'll notice the difference immediately.

The line-up of Metalforce almost completely changed from the Majesty day with only singer Tarek 'MS' Maghary and drummer Jan Raddatz remaining but the change is not really noticeable as the new musicians are of the same high quality as their predecessors.

If you want a bit of pure, enjoyable heavy metal then you really can't go wrong with this album. Its a great listen, even with the production issues. Not quite as good as Hellforces in my opinion, but you can't have that sort of quality all the time!
 
 










Mike Thompson


  
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Metalforce

(Magic Circle Music - 2009)



 
 

 

Majesty became Metalforce in summer of 2008, but musically they stick to their roots. And so fans of true metal should keep reading! Singer Tarek Maghary announced at Magic Circle Festival 2008 that Majesty is history and the future is Metalforce. Now they present their debut as Metalforce.

The quartet kick off with a song which soon will be their hymn - Faster, Louder, Metalforce. The song offers hyperfast parts and slow, majestic passages - and a catchy refrain to sing along. Freedom Warriors was presented live at MCF II and found its way on the DVD, so Manowar fans will know this one. And the song shows the Manowar influence, but the foursome add some Metalforce to it. Mainman Tarek Maghary and his mates slowly kick off I Rule The Night, a song of a betrayed leader who wants to take vengeance and get back his crown, so he leaves his family to come back as a crowned leader. After the slow opening part they storm off into a battle tune with aggression and melody. Big backings give the song majestic touch - and the song adds like it kicked off... slowly. Thunder And Lightning shows that Metalforce took the best of Majesty and created something new out of it. Instead of stuck into mid-tempo tunes, Metalforce are changing speed and make it more interesting with twists and turns. An epic ballad is When The Valkries Fly where former Manowar guitarist Ross The Boss adds a solo. The ballad is about the brave warriors who been guarded by valkyries to Asgard. The mythological lyrics are accompanied by heavy riffs, bombastic keyboards and intense vocals of Tarek. Well done!

A mid-paced heavy rocker is Thunderchild, and perhaps what everybody expects from the former Majesty leader, but other songs are stronger. No filler, but the album has better ones to offer! Time to speed up for We Are The Fire, a fast one which fulfills the cliches of true metal, but again Metalforce present themselves on a high level. Songs like Melt Thy Steel and Let The Battle Begin won't disappoint any metal warrior. And with Son Of The North the Metalforce debut ends. The epic tune is slow and majestic... Solemn. Full of pathos - exactly what true metal fans are longing for.

It seems that changing the name changed the band as well... They got stronger. Fans of Majesty won't be disappointed. Manowar fans will also know what to expect, but I recommend every heavy metal fan to check out Metalforce! Listen to: Metal Crusaders, I Rule The Night, When The Valkries Fly and Faster, Louder, Metalforce.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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           ©2008-2010 by Claudia Ehrhardt • E-Mail: contact@ice-vajal.com