“I guess veterans is not wasted on us” says Dario D’Alessandro of Thy Majes- tie when Hallowed has the pleasure to ask a few questions about Thy Majestie and their upcoming album Shi HuangDi.

Hallowed PDF-article Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm written by daniel källmalm sio (voice) and Giuseppe (keys) song rather than a combination of can find in it into the genre they and hard work, and we are truly - Relaxing one day after rehear- photo: thy majestie press have joined us a couple of years different songs. think a band belong to, and so satisfied with what we came up sals, we ended up talking about published on 9/9-2012 ago, while we were working on - We have always tried to give does Thy Majestie, or at least Da- with! It’s composed of 10 songs movies and Giuseppe told us the new album the albums an uniform atmosphe- rio does as he calls it “power-epic and there are a couple of special how much he loved this movie he history of Thy Ma- ”Shi HuangDi” which is the tit- re, and for those two reasons the metal with some prog and film- guests. While everyone keeps he had recently seen, “Hero”, jestie begins almost fif- le of the upcoming album is going choice to make conceptual al- score elements added to it”. Our talking about the great Fabio talking about the first emperor teen years ago in Italy, to be released by Scarlet records bums comes easily. It’s not that reviewer (who happens to be me) Lione’s appearance, there’s also of China. By pure chance, Alessio and since the start many to whom they returns after one when we start to produce new here at Hallowed called ”Shi Hu- the great lyrical singer and good had almost finished his studies Tthings has happened, they have release (”Dawn”) on the Dutch material we think that it will be a angDi” “symphonic power me- friend Katy Decker (from the in ancient oriental cultures and released four albums this far and label Dark Balance Records, they concept about this or that histori- tal” to which you can add “pom- band Mena Brinno) singing in was an expert of the subject, so a fifth is on its way. The band for- have been working with Scarlet cal matter... it just comes natural pous and majestic with some two songs. we started talking about whether mation has also changed quite a Records for all but that album. during the songwriting process. oriental touches” if you want a The idea to set the sights east- it could work or not. Slowly but bit during these years and only During their years they have There are many different styles longer genre name. wards was arisen just after the re- steadily we tried to insert some two members remain from the seemed to have an affinity for of music that can tell stories but lease of latest album ”Dawn” and Chinese atmospheres in the ma- early days explains Dario. conceptual albums which is so- most of the time they have this he fifth album of the Itali- the previous singer Dario Cascio terial that was ready at the time, - Today the only survivors of the mething that is rooted in the be- vague or floating sensation of be- ans is called ”Shi Huang- albeit at that time the idea was and we were content with the re- original formation are Claudio ginnings of the band explains Da- ing epic, like telling a story. And Di” and it is a conceptual to set the story in an old Mongol sults. (drums) and me (bass). Simone rio and says that most of the band many today seems to be looking album that tells the story empire or Japan, but what even- Dario reveals that when they (guitars) has been playing with has a real passion for history and for a very precise and long defini- Tof the legendary first emperor of tually triggered the idea to look were starting with ”Shi Huang- us in the last 5 years, since before that their albums have more tion of the style of a band adding China, Qin Shi Huang. to China rather than the rest was Di” they were looking to go back the release of ”Dawn”, and Ales- sounded like one long continuos more or less every little thing you - It has costed us 3 years of long the silver screen. towards the ”Hastings 1066” and

Hallowed PDF-article 3 4 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm ”Jeanne D’Arc” albums as they - I honestly think that the al- being somewhat partial since he positive, you guys are liking our seem that so does Thy Majestie hy Majestie has once figured that ”Dawn” had moved bum couldn’t turn out better than wrote that song himself which is songs a lot. and Dario, at least when I ask. again signed with Scar- them too far off those lands as he it did. I’m not saying it’s the best why he says he has to go with Fa- With such positive response - Heh, who doesn’t? It’s totally let Records meaning that expresses it. Which is why they album one could have possibly rewell instead. I guess he can afford to smile, the best part of being in a band, they return to familiar knew already from the beginning done, but after all the hard work there is to little of that in the me- getting to know the people that Tground after an adventure into that they were looking to the past in the songwriting, in the arrang- o, the band is satisfied tal world otherwise. Speaking of like your music and getting to unknown territory, meaning for the direction of the future. ements, in writing the orchestral with the album but what smiling, what better place to do play your music in front of them doing one album on another la- - When we started working on and choral parts, I can assure that about the audiences? Fans that than on stage. Touring is so- is something really special, it gi- bel. So what do they expect from ”Shi HuangDi” we knew it was each and everyone of us gave and media, what do they mething most bands strive to do, ves so much adrenaline! If only Scarlet now that they return, Da- going to be a bit of a “back to the 100% of what we were capable. Sthink? As far as my research goes although regular tours are get- my bandmates washed themsel- rio means that they expect that past” thing. I’d dare to say that Production-wise, Simone and it looks good for the band having ting fewer and further between ves more often. which they know Scarlet Records ”Shi HuangDi” sounds like a Dario at Wrec studios did a great sifted through the first eight of for most bands, Thy Majestie are Yeah, I suppose that personal can deliver. synthesis of what we have done job; at the mixing bench Giuseppe the evil google’s search results of looking to come out and play hygiene might be suffering so- - Great professionality, good vi- so far: it has lots of choral and or- Orlando and Massimiliano Pagli- reviews of which two was ours some in Europe. mewhat when on tour, at least if sibility, great distribution, excel- chestral elements, like you could uso did their usual best at Outer I found out that it has been very - We will, we’ll be taking part you are a smaller band that can- lent promotion. Even a hand for find on our first 3 albums, but the Sound Studios in Rome; and fi- well reviewed and that our 5/7 in the 2012 edition of Brainstorm not afford the fancy hotel stops. some BIG open air festival, who structure of the songs is “lighter” nally for the mastering we chose was the lowest of the lot (for a festival in the Netherlands and Or maybe the guys of Thy Ma- knows? and the directness of the songs is none but the best, Mika (Jussila) change). Dario’s view seconds from there we’ll move for more jestie are just people who doesn’t The band of course knows this similar to what you could find on at Finnvox. We are totally satis- mine and he cannot avoid smi- dates in Europe, the whole thing like to wash themselves. But you because they have a long expe- ”Dawn”, with less prog elements. fied with the final result. ling when saying that: is building up! know, it was a humorous remark rience with Scarlet Records, so- And it is as good at it could be Dario points out that the best - The feedback by the critics What about it then? All seems to so maybe they do wash on occa- mething that had an influence in according to Dario. song is either Ephemeral if he is so far has been overwhelmingly enjoy to go on tour and it would sion. them resigning with said label.

Hallowed PDF-article 5 6 Hallowed PDF-article Design by Daniel Källmalm Design by Daniel Källmalm Their priority has always been to substantial amount of time and anything that you want, you can what Dario wants to add when I Shi HuangDi. Thy Majestie discography: work with Scarlet, the adventure during such an amount of time achieve goals that seemed impos- was finished asking questions. With that we say thank you 2012 - Shi HuangDi was due to them getting to do so- you have plenty of time to learn sible at first. - We are craving to come to to Dario D’Alessandro and Thy 2008 – Dawn mething they always wanted to things. So what is the most im- Fifteen years is a decent amount Sweden, it’s the only Scandina- Majestie for taking the time to 2005 – Jeanne d’Arc do. portant lessons that Thy Majestie of time as well, maybe not ten or vian country we didn’t manage answer my questions. 2003 – Echoes of War - The only reason why we de- have learnt during these years. twenty years but it is a small mi- to play so far! 2002 – Hastings 1066 cided to release our fourth al- - Well, 15 years is quite a lot of lestone anyway, so will the band Then let us hope the upcoming Thy Majestie are: 2000 – The Lasting Power bum with another label was just time, isn’t it? As a band, we went do anything to celebrate this oc- touring allows them the chance to Alessio Taormina – Vocals 1999 – Perpetual Glory because in the deal with this la- through lots of turmoil, especial- casion? get here, but also of course wish Simone Campione – Guitars bel we had included a substan- ly during the years between ”Jean - We have nothing in mind yet... them luck with the release of ”Shi Guiseppe Carruba – Keyboards Thy Majestie on the web: tial help with the touring around D’Arc” and ”Dawn”, and what but you never know. HuangDi” which will be out from Dario D’Alessandro – Bass Our review of Shi HuangDi Northern Europe, which is so- we learnt is that no matter what And just so you know, Sweden september 25. Also be sure to Claudio Diprima- Drums http://www.thymajestie.com mething we wanted to do and so- happens, no matter how many is a dream for Thy Majestie, they check out the band’s website for Thy Majestie on myspace mething Scarlet couldn’t assure. people stop believing in you and dream of arriving here to our litt- information about touring and all Thy Majestie on youtube Thy Majestie is coming up on tell you that you won’t make it, le nation far in the north and far that stuff, and if you haven’t al- Scarlet Records fifteen years as a band, that isa if you try your best, you can get from civilisation. At least that is ready do check out our review of

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