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After the awesome "Sands Of Time" I was really anticipating the second album from Aussie marvels Black Majesty. Sometimes when you look forward to a release you are disappointed, but not here, as Black Majesty definitely deliver with their follow-up "Silent Company".

With this release the band has managed to to progress without going prog or losing their unique touch. Black Majesty really have their own sound, and I'd know the combination of involved, atypical melodies with John Cavaliere's voice anywhere. They kick off with the blistering, complex "Dragon Reborn", and then follow up with the excellent title track. As always, this band writes tunes that are largely not instant gratifiers, but complicated, layered tunes with deceptively catchy hooks buried in them. Things slow down with the pounding adaptation of the traditional tune "Six Ribbons", followed up by another album highlight, the careening "Firestorm". These are the best songs on the album right here, and the rest of the songs are not *quite* as good, but they are still remarkable exercises in pounding, high-octane Power Metal.

The art and design are really excellent, making the whole a package that is a real pleasure to have. The production is first-rate, with a heavier guitar tone than last time out, and a clarity that keeps the songs from sounding chaotic. Black Majesty continue with the quality they showed on their debut, and this is a band with almost unlimited powers, that could go as far as they want to. I have enormously high hopes for this band's future. A great album by a great band.