Review by JD on March 16, 2018.

Canadian thrash… what a topic.  I love this British Columbia based band since they ripped on to the scene in 1986.  They are truly Canada’s finest unknown thrash act ever, The Mighty Infernal Majesty.

With the release of their now classic album None Shall Defy they showed just how hard this band rocks.  Blending traditional thrash with blistering speed and NWOBHM sensibility as well, the results took them across the globe and opening for many now famous acts. Then many line-up changes and constant break-ups and make ups made the bands life stagnate. Unholier than Thou was the bands second album coming almost ten years after the first. Coming in as seventy one minutes long thrash opus Infernal Majesty explode out to start with the blazing title track that sets the tone with chainsaw riffs that seem to break light speed. More songs come screaming one by one with military precision. Songs that shine through are the cranial pounding 'Gone The Way of All Flesh' and the neck breaking brutal 'The Art of War 'seem to be the stars, while the rest were not far off the mark.

Over production takes some of the power away from this release, although thankfully not by much. It’s the odd 9 year space between the debut and the sophomore release that also dampens the record – but again, very little.  This is an album worth owning if you’re a thrash fan.  This is one of the best, and its Canadian.  Who would have thunk it?  I would, but then again… I am Canadian.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Adam M on May 28, 2012.

This is a wild and interesting adventure of an album that evokes the cover art of a jungle type atmosphere with a variety of vibrant colours within the songs themselves. The structures here are of a similar crazy nature to those of a band like Mr. Bungle or what was seen from the recent Sigh opus. It’s not traditional because the songs don’t often have verse and chorus sections that repeat, but go off on different tangents. The song-writing is still relatively tight throughout, though some sections are more memorable and work better than others.

The slight lack of consistency is what prevents this from being an absolute gem of an album, but it’s still excellent nonetheless. If the quality of the album standout 'Exit Strategy Of A Wrecking Ball' was upheld throughout the entire length of the work it would have been greater. That particular song busts out of the gate with a very powerful nature and manage to be a rollicking good time for the entire length. Some of the other songs become too silly at times to ever be as solid as that one. The majority of the album is still an amazingly fun time. The first few tracks are amongst the best on here and set the stage for an album that starts to wander into many different territories throughout. There are many different instruments used to give it this sound like it was created in the jungle. There are also a number of vocal choices ranging from singing to chanting to operatic vocals.

Overall, the originality and energy of this album is what makes "Pandora’s Pinata" worthwhile for fans of Avant-Garde music in general to check out.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Review by Adam M on May 28, 2012.

This is a wild and interesting adventure of an album that evokes the cover art of a jungle type atmosphere with a variety of vibrant colours within the songs themselves. The structures here are of a similar crazy nature to those of a band like Mr. Bungle or what was seen from the recent Sigh opus. It’s not traditional because the songs don’t often have verse and chorus sections that repeat, but go off on different tangents. The song-writing is still relatively tight throughout, though some sections are more memorable and work better than others.

The slight lack of consistency is what prevents this from being an absolute gem of an album, but it’s still excellent nonetheless. If the quality of the album standout 'Exit Strategy Of A Wrecking Ball' was upheld throughout the entire length of the work it would have been greater. That particular song busts out of the gate with a very powerful nature and manage to be a rollicking good time for the entire length. Some of the other songs become too silly at times to ever be as solid as that one. The majority of the album is still an amazingly fun time. The first few tracks are amongst the best on here and set the stage for an album that starts to wander into many different territories throughout. There are many different instruments used to give it this sound like it was created in the jungle. There are also a number of vocal choices ranging from singing to chanting to operatic vocals.

Overall, the originality and energy of this album is what makes "Pandora’s Pinata" worthwhile for fans of Avant-Garde music in general to check out.

Categorical Rating Breakdown

Musicianship: 8
Atmosphere: 8.5
Production: 8
Originality: 9.5
Overall: 8.5

Rating: 8.5 out of 10