This collaboration of Obsequiae and Inexorum members has their take on Melodic Death Metal with elements of the Swedish scene – all wrapped up in a 90’s classic sound, that In Flames would be proud of…well this album kicks some major ass!

With 10 songs in 39 minutes, “In Yearning, Alive”, starts abruptly, with a massive scream/growl and into a classic 90’s death metal gallop, before getting into a mid-paced section.  The Obsequiae guitar melodies are evident and they are soaring and magnificent.  Tempo changes galore.  The song introduces a nice blast beat then settles into the gallop.  Incredible vocals with an eerie Tomas Lindberg impression.  This track is the perfect opening song in a live environment if Majesties even has any desire to play live.

“Verdant Paths To Radiance” begins with an extraordinary and catchy guitar riff that transports us to Sweden with some castle as the back drop.  Dragons are flying high as knights are protecting their land, as well as swilling copious amounts of Meade while doing it.  The double bass, is simple, over these mid/slow-paced guitar melodies, so as not to overpower those riffs and complement the guitars well.  The song picks up some speed and then drops back into a slower, more atmospheric cadence.  Riffs and vocals soar in epic quality, yet the song is under 4 minutes.

As I break into a tangent bear with me, good reader.  Majesties prove this style of death metal does not need extra long drawn out songs to evoke an epic quality.  The songs pack so much punch and never overstay their welcome as the band proves a three-and-a-half minute song can be just as epic as an eight-minute number.  Regardless, we get a nice little acoustic guitar moment, during this song, before the song shifts into a speedier pace and then slowing back down.

“Journey’s End” is close to the five-minute mark and begins with some ethereal guitar melodies, before erupting into a tight and monstrous blast beat, with the slow guitar picking over it, making for a unique sound.  The song pulls back on the blast, then gets back into the blast with amazing guitar harmonies.  Truly spectacular and memorable.  I swear I feel I am transported back into 1992 but wearing a brand new coat!  The tempo shifts are all over the place and the band ends strong, as this is actually my favorite track on the album.  No need to go out with a whimper, the band saved the best for last.

Vast Reaches Unclaimed is one helluva debut album that brings us back to a less oversaturated extreme metal scene, but one that does not forget the ancestors that perfected this style of death metal.  Majesties make this style sound fresh and kudos to the guitar tone/harmonies and catchiness.  Some of the best for 2023, no doubt.  The album cover is an incredible otherworldly landscape and goes along with the music.  The production is clear, and concise, but also retains an old-school element, transporting us back to Gothenburg, but still sounding fresh for 2023.

I was expecting this to be a good album, but never did I imagine it to be phenomenal, and that is what this album is.  This wipes the floor with the new In Flames album, by leaps and bounds-not even close.  Majesties are more aggressive and this has soared to my favorite album, early on, in 2023.

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