Interview with Claudio Diprima, Thy Majestie (November 3, 2005)

First of all congratulations with your new album “Jeanne D’Arc”.
Claudio
- Thank you very much!  

Please give our readers a short introduction of Thy Majestie...
Claudio -
Thy Majestie is a symphonic epic metal band. We started in 1998. After the release of our first demo we had a deal with Scarlet Records, and we released 2 albums and 1 EP. Now our third album is going to be released for Scarlet Records. Our music is a mix of orchestral orchestration, epic interludes, and powerful heavy metal. It's very difficult to do something new if you play Power Metal, but we tried to mix these things with our personal style.  

Tell us about the recording of “Jeanne D’Arc”; Where did you record it?
Claudio
- We recorded it in my own studio.  

Who was the producer? Are you satisfied with the final result?
Claudio - I’m the producer. Well, we are quite satisfied, maybe something could be improved but I think we could consider our self quite satisfied in the end. The album then has been mastered by Goran Finnberg at Mastering Room ( Sweden ).

I know that “Jeanne D’Arc” has just been released, but how are the reactions so far?
Claudio - The reactions are good, not excellent but good. Many people are comparing it to our previous album and this is a big mistake. Anyway, until now we have received only good reviews and some brilliant reviews.

The lyrics on your last two albums are based around historical events, who comes up with the historical concept and who writes the lyrics? Who writes the music?
Claudio
- I wrote the lyrics. Giuseppe (keyboards) wrote the music. The idea of using historical themes comes up after the release of our first album “The Lasting Power”. We were tired of fantasy/dragon/elves tales, and we decided to write historical concepts.  

Describe with a few words the main differences between “Jeanne D’Arc” and “Hastings 1066”...
Claudio - The main difference is the attitude: “Jeanne D’Arc” is more “straight in your face”, more epic, more “easy listening”, in one word it is “more”.  

How do you feel about the co-operation with Scarlet Records, and are you satisfied?
Claudio - Yes quite enough satisfied. They did a really good job. The contract is now expired, so we are trying to understand what we want for the future.

Who has done the artwork? And how important do you feel it is to have a great cover?
Claudio - The artwork was done by Carl Andre’ Beckstone. We worked with TNT, Edguy, Brazen Abbot and others. I think he did a great job! It’s very important to have a good cover. It’s the first image of group when you release a new album

Do you have any touring plans?
Claudio - Not at the moment. We haven’t a booking agency. Even if we have released 3 albums ‘till now we don’t know how the system works! We don’t have contacts. I’m very sorry for that and for the many people that wanted to see us on stage.  

Will you be shooting any videos for “Jeanne D’Arc”?
Claudio - There are no plans about that. A lot of money for that, I don’t think Scarlet could support us for that.  

What was your best and worst moment with Thy Majestie?
Claudio - The best moment was the mini tour with Vision Divine in the northern Italy on 2002. The worse was at the beginning of the recording of "Jeanne D’Arc", because the singer left the band.  

It seems to me that Italy plays an important role in the rebirth of epic metal, which are your favorite Italian bands?
Claudio - My favorite Italian band is Novembre. Death Gothic metal band from Rome . They rule!  

What do you think of the present and future of heavy metal?
Claudio - I don’t think about the future, I live day by day, I wish good things for Heavy Metal, but
you know, it’s difficult.

Please give me a list of your 5 favorite albums of all time...
Claudio -

  • Iron Maiden - Somewhere in Time

  • Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son

  • Iron Maiden - Live after Death

  • Blind Guardian - Imaginations from the Other Side

  • Queensrÿche - Operation: Mindcrime

Add if you like any final words to our readers.
Claudio - Everybody is invited to visit www.thymajestie.com, download the samples, and listen to our music!
You could be surprised to discover a good band you’ve never heard about.

Cheers!
Interview by Claudio Diprima

Thanks,
Jørgen Ditlev
www.powermetal.dk

Thy Majestie - Jeanne D'Arc

Album out on Scarlet Records.

Click on the album cover for more info on Thy Majestie.