DESCENSION

Majestic started in 2007 as a one-man project by musician Jeff Hamel,based in Minneapolis,USA.Jeff was a member of various little-known bands in his youth,before deciding to move alone and, encouraged by his son, he posted a couple of his compositions on ''myspace'',influenced by the likes of YES, GENESIS, RIVERSIDE and DREAM THEATER.The response was good and Jeff posted enough material for a demo CD.He was then approached by Andromeda Records and started working on a new album,but a bit later he was asked to collaborate with Russian MALS Records.So Jeff passed them what was supposed to be his demo CD and so ''Descension'' was born and released by the Russians in 2007.

''Descension'' is a nice mix of Symphonic Rock,Space Prog and Progressive Metal with definite influences by bands like GENESIS, PINK FLOYD, RIVERSIDE and DREAM THATER.The greatest element of ''Descension'' is that all instruments (handled alone by Hamel) are very balanced with no particular tendency for keyboard- or guitar-driven compositions,unlike tons of other one man projects.The tracks are varied, ranging from symphonic opuses with fantastic keyboard work and heavy prog cuts with strong guitars to metal-edged tracks with virtuosic playing and spacey passages with good use of synths and emotional guitar playing.Still,Hamel's voice needs some sort of development,being warm and sensitive,but the man is not a proffesional singer by any means.The compositions though are in a great level with their parts tightly connected,excellent flaws and a quite decent production.

Anyone seeking for modern progressive rock with a variety of influences should simply get this album.With a better singer aside,Jeff could certainly create something trully outstanding.