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The Majesty Of Decay

    
       
       
       
     
             
Judicator are a power metal band from the USA formed in 2012, releasing six albums to date - 'Kings Of Rome' (2012), 'Sleepy Plessow' (2013), 'At The Expense Of Humanity' (2015), 'The Last Emperor' (2018), 'Let There Be Nothing' (2020), and 'The Majesty Of Decay', released in 2022...    
             
...the bands most majestic and grandiose album to date - probably! The poise and elegance of the power metal on offer is cinematic to the extreme - none of the shredding guitars, screaming solos, or high pitched vocals you'd normally associate with power metal are present. Instead you have the glory and epic nature of anthemic heavy metal mixed with power metal and a grand story telling vibe with a sizzling thunder, fire and brimstone feel to match the majestic march the band adopt throughout the album. This is truly a vast slab of sensational metal to listen to time and time again. And there's a whole hour of it too! 'Euphoric Parasitism' opens the album in a highly anticipative mood, creating an atmosphere of mystery and concealment. And as 'Euphoric Parasitism' continues, the chilling story telling vibe sends a chill down the spine and raises the hairs on the back of the neck - Judicator setting an enigmatic tone.    
             
The title song 'The Majesty Of Decay' erupts into life with a glorious guitar riff that could easily have time travelled here from the eighties! Bursting into a trot, 'The Majesty Of Decay' (the song) adopts the classic "foot on the monitor" feel, while remaining shrouded in a cloak of elegance. And after just two songs it is clear Judicator have gone for a cinematic and climactic approach, majestically swaggering across a backdrop of progressive leanings and very imaginative ideas. A doom heavy feel thunders in and stomps menacingly, as 'From The Belly Of The Whale' smells strongly of tension and apprehension, all the while maintaining the albums overall sense of thrilling excitement tinged with fear. 'The Majesty Of Decay' (the album) turning out to be a theatrical ten part thriller. With the listeners attention fully grabbed, the band increase the heaviness tenfold for 'Daughter Of Swords' - a brash and arrogance laden furore that hits hard and kicks harder: adopting a mid tempo foot stomp of the most unexpected kind! This is turning into one of those albums that should be listened to late at night with the lights turned off and the volume way up high - so as to provide a much more sensual listening experience.    
             
Where bands get their inspiration and ideas from has always amazed me, the creative mind of musicians much more vivid than mine. 'Ursa Minor' taking the album to the next level and introducing a little more pace than heard previously - then assuming the pattern of progressive metal, with a highly sinister aura. Infectious with a "can't stop listening" attitude, 'The Majesty Of Decay' (the album) is like a big Hollywood blockbuster - sensational and worth viewing more than once! I guarantee you'll listen to this album ten times and hear something different each time - there's just so much on offer. 'Ursa Major' takes up the baton and is progressive power metal of the fast paced kind...the band showing a never before seen (err, heard) clean pair of heels! And this time, the pace remains high, while across the chorus break the band become more melodious than ever, igniting a sing a long ability that every listener, just can't ignore. The band have a wealth of experience behind them - and it shows, none more so than 'The High Priestess', a solid as a rock monolith of a tune that stands head and shoulders above everything that has gone before. And the nearest to the classic sound of power metal any song has gotten, especially the chorus!    
             
This is truly a roller coaster of highs and more highs, every turn a thrilling increase on the last - Judicator performing at their very best. If this album was a West End show, it would be a continuous sell-out with capacity crowds every night. The majestic atmosphere makes an emphatic return - did it ever really go away? Of course not - it's just now more epic than ever. 'The Black Elk' a stunning cacophony of bold and attention grabbing heavy metal. And from my viewpoint I can see (and hear) jaws dropping everywhere, the drop sudden and dramatic as the band deliver an excitement level that hardens with every song that passes by. With no-one leaving their seats or even pressing pause, Judicator enter the story telling realm for 'Judgment', an addictive and very attractive slice of atmosphere and mood. The change of tempo, gears, and feel, is simply awesome, the listener not having a clue which way the song will turn next. Exciting and entertaining just doesn't do the album justice - an album that closes with the nine and a half minute show stopping finale 'Metamorphosis'. Full of emphatic nuances and a thrilling sense of awe, Judicator have crafted an album ender that raises the bar higher than you can imagine. So it just remains for me to say, 'The Majesty Of Decay' (the album) is brilliant, and a must have for anyone who likes breath taking performances of the operatic, cinematic, and theatrical nature.    
             
Overall, a glorious symphony of standing ovation proportions, 'The Majesty Of Decay' is exciting, and wonderfully entertaining.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
At The Expense Of Humanity      
           
"fuelled by reasons of a personal nature, this album is full of passion, pride and the sensational heavy power metal has never sounded so great" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
Let There Be Nothing      
           
"a truly theatric and cinematic offering that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
I Am The Void E.P.      
           
"two songs showing two sides to Judicator - their innovative best and incredible prowess as a cover band" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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