Tales of a Tragic Kingdom

This is the first full-length offering from Supreme Majesty. The band would go on an evolution from this album being more of a traditional power metal album, merging into more of an 80s AOR melodic power metal sound on the second album, into a shredding melodic elite neoclassical sound on the finale.

The backbone of this band's sound is already apparent on this one. While there are more Hammerfallisms on this one than future recordings, some of their typical melodic structures are there; and of course the walls of keyboards, and the emotive vocals from Joakim Olsson. This album, like the others, has more of a "Gothenburg" sound in it's mixing and mastering.

As stated previously, this album is a bit more Hammerfallish than their future releases. It has simple but effective riffs, it doesn't always flourish into hypermelodic power metal, sticking to more of an 80s traditional metal sound with added keyboards for epicness. This can be heard in straightforward tracks like Towards the Northern Star and Keeper of the Dead. Queen of Egypt and Let it Go are similar save for the formers middle-eastern riffage and the latter's overly happy melodic theme. The title track also sticks in this mold with a more pompous Europe-like synth delivery.

It wouldn't be a Supreme Majesty without some power ballads with Forever I'll Be being the catchy, more sentimental one and Eye of the Storm being the more epic sad power ballad complete with a Keeper of the Seven Keys-type intro. This album also has a bit of a throwaway instrumental song in the middle that shares the same title as the album itself.

It is worth noting here that there are two absolute classic power metal anthems here. This album bursts open with Strike Like Thunder which is a prototypical Supreme Majesty anthem. Big anthemic sections, Olsson singing his ass off, and catchy memorable melodies. It is followed with Not of This World which is a catchy and dismally hopeful melodic speed/power anthem.

Overall the album is a more traditional side to their sound, it is power metal through and through, but it is a bit top heavy anthems with more interesting and less catchy songs to fill in the rest of the way, it is by no means a snoozer of an album, it is competent all the way through. Recommended for fans of Hammerfall and the like.

Supreme Freaking Majesty!! Wow!! Tales of a Tragic Kingdom...Supreme Majesty's first full length is definately a keeper! Looking back, I can see why this was so high on Burnn magazines best selling import cd charts for so long. First off I'll note that SM, aren't what you'd call completely new and groundbreaking metal..but what they do, they do extremely well. What we have here is an album of mid-paced and fairly speedy power metal (theres quite a bit of both) with large doses of the ol' twin guitar attack that lends the sheer melody that is usually very overwhelming to say the least. There are quite a few great melodic solos that are quite beautiful and lovely in a sense.
The singer of this band lends us quite a different take on power metal vocals...he has that sorta medium range voice that he never goes above, and goes below on occasion..overall his vocals aren't the showiest but he has a nice tone (that doesn't get annoying) and he sings with feeling. The drummer of this band is also very much so worth mentioning. He completely follows the rules of sheer power metal with the ever so present DRUM ROLLS, and while his drumming is consistent, he does NOT overwhelm us with double bass. The keyboards here are very prevalent and also very important. Next to the backing vocals, the lend alot of the emotion and memorablity to the songs.
Other that that..soundwise, I would say Supreme Majesty sounds alot like say Arch Enemy with less distortion with their guitars, and kinda like a more relaxed Stratovarius with less emphasis on virtuosity. Don't get me wrong though, the greatness of the twin guitar attack of Rille Svensson and Chrille Andersson is not one to be ignored. It seems like most of the songs start off with an awesome melodic fill. The guitars here are the best thing about this band..the lead guitars are usually not overly flashy (like Timo Tolkki)

About the songs! Oh the songs!!
Strike Like Thunder (this one starts off the album in a good way. very melodic keyboards and guitars lend the anthemic quality this song has. but the best thing is the atmospheric chorus with the transcending keyboard lines that steal the whole damn show!) 9.0 of 10
Not of This World (OH MY FUCKING GOD!!! this is one of my new favorite power metal songs ever. quick paced and transcendental this one is. melodic as fuck with one of the best goddamn choruses ever!!! I can't stop singing this one its a fucking classic! The soloing is nothing short of astounding and the verses build you up to the excellent chrous. and my god, the drums...the drummer hits some killer drum rolls here...the lyrics are hard NOT to want to sing..."Leave me be, can't see whats left of me, not of this world..i am too proud to fight!" This song is WHY I bought the album and its worth it for just this one song!) 10 of 10!
Towards the Northern Star (total spike-wristband-fist raising Maiden worship here, ..twin guitar attack and the gallopping quality. power fucking metal is what this is. melody melody melody...all given to us by sweet and simple keyboards and virtuoso guitar soloing! This one has the emotion, the epicness, and the power all in one! and guess what...the drummer goes crazy in this one) 10 of 10
Forever I'll Be (ballad alert! one catchy melodic twin guitar solo begins it. and let me tell you it stays one awesome song. This one has the qualities of the 80's power ballad with the 90's power metal melody to go with it. Emotional and intense is the name of the game, and yes..it has the power ballad solo in 80's power ballad mode, good enough to use as prom song ; )...Raise your cigarette lighters and put your arm around your woman!!!) 10 of 10
Let It Go(awesome anthemic song with a great chorus, a sweet and simple opening melody that has an nice feel to it and an overall energetic atmoshere. there is also a very emotional keyboard and guitar solo that would warrant the lighting of everyone's cigarette lighters!)8.5 of 10
Tales of a Tragic Kingdom (a very very atmospheric flute instrumental that is the the intro the next song..) 8.0
Queen of Egypt (maybe the weakest song here, this one kinda sounds like maybe a more bombastic or thrashy Edguy or Stratovarius. The chorus kinda sounds same-y (like Not of This World) but the overall atmosphere is still in tact. And this is song is definately not "flowery" like some people would say Stratovarius are...this song is actually got the heaviness and melody rolled together in a fine manner) 7.5 of 10
Keeper of the Dead (the chorus for this one isn't effective as normal...but trust me it sticks in your head. the power of the vocals here is amazing. This one isn't overty melodic like usual, instead we're treated to some old school rock N roll!) 7.5 of 10
Supreme Majesty (another real masterpiece complete with the galloping intro drenched with anthemic keyboards. the chorus? well its one that sticks in your head, and the majestic guitar leads in between the verses are perfectly placed. but keyboards are just as big of a player here as they dictate the pace of the song..soundwise the keyboards are NOT wankery, instead they have a solid epic quality that makes you want to bounce up and down.) 10 of 10
Eye of the Storm (begins in a slower manner, but damn is this one atmospheric. Yeah its another ballad type of song, not quite as great as 'Forever I'll Be' but this song is still one that has the ability to cause some major shivers run down the spine of every fan of emotional metal. Perfectly placed epic keyboards once again add most of the atmosphere. The chorus is in a sing-along raise your ligher mode, and the solos (both keyboard and guitar) along with the AWESOME interplay between the two are breathtaking and powerful.) 8.0 of 10

Overall, this is worth getting definately. And damn..this is only their FIRST full length. This band is a force to be reckoned with.