Athenaeum Of Sin Reviews

Before heading into the review, Jester Majesty’s Plains Of Heaven is only a three track EP, with a runtime of ten minutes. Don’t worry, there is enough for the listener’s ears and soul to grab hold, while taking the listener on a lyrical journey about concerning the cycle of life and death. It is a “struggle” to live with authenticity, facing death, physical and psychological limits and collective illusions. It is a reflection on the human condition, on the conflict between body and soul, between reason and instinct.

In just three tracks, each distinct in sound, aggression, tone, tempo, and composition, this collection offers a fruit of art experience for the ears and spirit. It showcases a robust display of hypnotic and aggressive music, with a tone that is grandiose and theatrical. Where the music is marked by technical thrash prowess and a melodically old-school vocal approach that is rarely explored. The progressive elements are primarily evident in the riffs, which are heavily influenced by thrash metal, featuring synths and organs, that is all enhanced by an intense atmospheric flair.

As soon as the listener hits play, the first track, Thanatos, welcomes the listener with a complex and intricate instrumental introduction. It seamlessly transitions into a blend of instrumentation and vocal aggression, weaving together a complex musical tapestry. Jester Majesty’s second piece, Memoryless Property, the briefest of the collection at under a minute, unfolds with a beautifully preserved atmosphere and acoustic tones, before seamlessly transitioning and finishing off with a powerful instrumental serge…

Jester Majesty’s and his album, The Plains of Heaven, closes with the closing track, which has a more progressive feel. The fiery guitar devilmanship, one Plains of Heaven is delivered by none other than Erymanthon, the brainchild behind the one-man band Apocalypse. Featured previously on here, Erymanthon’s contribution is complemented by the rest of the ensemble, which enhances the intricate and thrash-infused sound of the music. The rhythmic and neoclassical riffs from Alessandro Gargivolo, paired with his commanding vocals, inject a vibrant pulse into the composition. Luca Margini enriches the atmosphere with his synth artistry, while the synth/keyboard work has this inspired feel of Jordan Rudess of “Dream Theater” weaving through “Plains of Heaven,” creating a delightful tapestry of sound that captivates the senses. At the same time, Jester “The Fester” on drums delivers a powerful and rhythmic performance, characterized by intense drumming and robust beats, which contribute significantly to the depth and foundation of the music.

Jester Majesty’s journey is short, but showcases the band’s remarkable ability to convey a rich musical tapestry across all three tracks. The performance remains impressively tight and captivating from start to finish. Beyond their solid musical execution, the exceptional sound production elevates the heavy progressive metal experience, thanks to the studio expertise of Bulgarian producer Nikola Zanev.
 
If you’re a fan of heavy, impactful progressive metal that paints a vivid musical landscape, I highly recommend exploring the three-track EP, Plains of Heaven, by Jester Majesty.