Album Review: Black Majesty – Oceans Of Black (Scarlet Records)

Australian power metal veterans, Black Majesty, are back with a vengeance, releasing their brand-new album, ‘Oceans of Black’ on June 20th, 2025, via Scarlet Records. A voyage through fear, corruption, hope, strength, resilience and triumph.

Someone… get me my cape! I’m feeling ‘power metal’ fancy, and it’s all thanks to Black Majesty’s rollicking ode to the genre, Oceans of Black. A power metal record through and through. From riffs that scream like howling winds across mountaintops, vocals that can command the heavens with their range, drums chunky enough to crack the earth, to big, hooky choruses that will have swathes of people dropping to their knees and thanking the gods for this music. This is power metal 101.

So, what was your reaction to reading that? A grimace or a grin? This response is important as it really does dictate your mileage with his record. If you’re a critic of the sound and style, even in a more traditional format like it is here, you’re going to find yourself switching off before it’s even half over. Which isn’t a reflection of the quality, Black Majesty are killing it here, it’s just the undeniable fact that it’s as power metal as a codpiece, flowing locks, baby oil, and a dragon… probably.

Enough of who won’t like it though, how about all of us having fun with our swords and shields? For starters, put it away, you’ll get someone’s eye out. Then, limber up your neck muscles, work out any kinks in your fist-raising arm, and fill those lungs with air, it’s time to sing loud, throw fists in the air, and head bang until everything aches. Also, while we’re at it, get some air guitar practice in, Black Majesty also have solos for freaking days.

Highlights? There are many. It kicks off with the rousing Dragon Lord, which is an instant album anthem. Then there is the early epic that switches tempo in clever fashion, Hold On. As well as the riotous Lucifer, which proves to be a sinfully decadent showcase of guitar soloing, and the singalong title track (provided you have the lung capacity for it). Before, later, Hell Racer delivers heart-racing power-infused intensity, Got A Hold on You is a melodramatic metal ballad delivered with mighty aplomb, and the album ends in ‘majestic’ fashion with Ghost in the Darkness.

Power freaking metal. What more do you need to hear?

Black Majesty – Oceans of Black Track Listing:

1. Dragon Lord
2. Set Stone on Fire
3. Hold On
4. Raven
5. Lucifer
6. Oceans Of Black
7. Only The Devil
8. Hell Racer
9. Got A Hold on You
10. Here We Go
11. Astral Voyager
12. Ghost In the Darkness

Links

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