Posted: September 16, 2009 at 9:07 am
THE BEST BAND AND RECORD OF THE MONTH – 2009
Majestic is featured in an article in this prog rock site.
Here is the original link. Majestic Feature
Majestic come from Minneapolis, Minnesota, EUA, a Progressive Rock Project fronted by a singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jeff Hamel, accompanied by Jessica Rasche, on lead vocals. It’s very difficult to classified Jeff Hamel “Majestic” into one single style, his music is so vibrant, epic and atmospheric, full of incredible musical components,
combining elements of Progressive Rock, Prog Metal, Symphonic Metal, Neo-Progressive, and Hard Rock, sometimes adding a touch of electronic textures. We can hear wonderful solos of guitar, constantly dominating all arrangements in accordance with an incredible symphonic keyboards and thunderous drums. On vocals, Jessica Rasche sings in a distinctive style that would fit comfortably into the compositions, her voice is so clear and she has a very wide vocal range, sounding between “Tracy Hitchings” – “Landmark”, “Robin (Marta Kniewska)” – “Strawberry Fields”, “Christina Maria Booth” – “Magenta” and “Rachel Jones” – ‘Karnataka”. Together, they have created a very strong musical style, that is not so easy to find today, definitely they should have a special attention from all prog rock lovers around the world. “Arrival” is a contemporary progressive rock album with a vibrant and modern sound, the album contains 77:30 minutes, divided into four songs, where all the tracks, offers to the listener an magnificent and vibrant music. So if you are a fan of “Arena”, “Genesis”, “Porcupine Tree”, “Riverside”, “Yes”, “Magenta”, “Mostly Autumn”, “Ayreon” and you like all of them you must get Majestic. Brilliant, fantastic, and amazing work, highly recommendable…
The present line-up of the Majestic Project are:
Jeff Hamel – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals, Drums and Percussion
Jessica Rasche – Vocals
Posted: September 16, 2009 at 8:57 am
Review from the site Music in Belguim of Majestic’s Arrival CD in french.
The original article is here – > Link
(Translated via paralink below article)
Majestic, c’est le projet de l’américain Jeff Hamel. Lors de la sortie de son album “Descension“ en 2008, nous avions épinglé la faiblesse de son chant. A force de tout vouloir faire lui-même, il en desservait son album. Il semble nous avoir entendus puisqu’il s’est trouvé une véritable voix en la personne de la chanteuse Jessica Rasche. Cela ne l’a pas empêché de travailler aussi la sienne. Il assure quelques passages et des backing vocals, et cette fois c’est de qualité.
Ce nouvel album de Majestic est aussi l’occasion d’un plus grand travail sur les compositions. Il est plus personnel aussi. “Gray” dévoile même une puissance presque métal, les arrangements sont soignés, les mélodies captivantes. Cette longue pièce enivrante dévoile la voix parfaite de Jessica. Un passage nous plonge chez Pink Floyd avec une ambiance planante. Seul regret, la batterie trop froide et métronomique.
C’est la douceur acoustique qui prime sur “Wish”. L’intensité monte au fil de l’eau. La voix est aérienne, la guitare floydienne semble en pleine discussion. La puissance métal et des riffs acérés transpirent de “Glide” tout en cultivant les ambiances. Quant au long morceau titulaire, si le début prend des tons Floyd façon “The Division Bell”, le chant transcendant et irrésistible nous emporte au sein d’une ambiance captivante. Frissons garantis !
En résumé, ce nouvel album de Majestic est bien différent du précédent. C’est une réussite. Jeff Hamel est sur la bonne voie. Il devrait encore nous étonner dans les années à venir. Si vous aimez Ayreon, Stream Of Passion, Porcupine Tree et Pink Floyd, cet opus devrait vous plaire.
Pays: US
Mals Ltd MALS 336
Sortie: 2009
Translated via Paralink
Majestic, it is the plan of the American Jeff Hamel. During the exit of its album ” Descension ” in 2008, we had pinned the weakness of its singing. By wanting everything to make himself, served the album with it. It seems to have heard us since there happened a true voice in the person of the singer Jessica Rasche. It did not prevent from it working his also. He assures some passages and backing vocals, and this time it is of quality.
This new album of Majestic is also the opportunity of a bigger job on compositions. It is more personal also. “Gray” reveals a potency even almost metal, one treat on arrangements, the captivating melodies. This long intoxicating room reveals the perfect voice of Jessica. A passage plunges us at Pink Floyd’s with a planante ambience. The only regret, the too cold battery and métronomique.
It is the acoustical softness which dominates on “Wish”. Intensity goes up in the course of water. Voice is air, the floydienne guitar seems in full debate. Potency metal and shrill riffs sweats of “Glide” while cultivating ambiences. As for the long tenured piece, if the beginning takes tones Floyd manner “The Division Bell”, transcendent and overpowering singing takes us within a captivating ambience. Guaranteed shiver!
In summary, this new album of Majestic well differs from precedent. It is a success. Jeff Hamel is on the good way. He should again surprise us in years to come. If you love Ayreon, Stream Of Passion, Porcupine Tree and Pink Floyd, this opus should please you.
Posted: September 14, 2009 at 10:13 am
Majestic’s “Where Were You” which can be heard here at Majestic’s myspace, recieved a honorable mention in the 2009 Song of the Year contest. The track was written by Jessica Rasche and arranged by Jeff Hamel.
Song of the Year
Awarded to Majestic
Majestic has been selected as a “Honorable Mention” in the July 2009 round of the Song of the Year song and lyric competition. Song of the Year receives entries from all over the world and only those artists who display particular talent or creativity receive such recognition.
Here is the original link
Posted: September 2, 2009 at 11:16 am
The tracks from Arrival are now on Aural Moon progressive radio. Be sure to go there and request your favorite tracks. 
Click to check out : Aural Moon
Or to go directly to request a track, check out the Garden
