THE SUFFERING JOY

Usually, modern Symphonic Prog artists aren't exactly my first pick. Many times they tend to do too much; the songs are way too long, the instrumental parts sometimes can be excessive. But "The Suffering Joy" made me look at all these bands in a different point of view, maybe just because this is one of the best and most refined Symphonic Prog albums released in these last two three years.

Magic Pie is a Norwegian Symphonic Prog band that started out in 2005-so it's clear from the start that this is a NEW band- and has released, in the beginning of February 2011, an amazing, mind blowing album.Maybe it's too soon to say, being this the first 2011 album I listen to, but I think "The Suffering Joy" will be remembered as one of the best releases this year. Certainly I'll remember it when this year ends. It's fresh, dynamic, hopeful, energetic, with an excellent album structure, definitely a true piece of art. Sure, many times they sound like the best of Transatlantic, but what's original about this is the massive use of guitars, used even more than keyboards. You hear synth riffs or many piano playing, but the guitars are the true soul of the music, even in the shorter songs (Endless Ocean). This doesn't prevent at all to the album of having an epic an utterly solemn tone, especially in songs like the title track or the final "In Memoriam". I do have to say something about the musicians: even though I highly praise this work, I do think everybody here has really overdone themselves, in fact, these musicians don't sound particularly good or talented. In a way, I think "The Suffering Joy" is a miracle, a beautiful mistake, and I don't think this band will able to go further than this. Unless of course I'm wrong.

The buck of the album is obviously the opening suite divided in four songs, "A Life's Work", the first three parts very short but fantastic, all openers to the fourth part, the title track, a massive seventeen minute epic, a true masterpiece. We have then songs like "Slightly Mad" or "Headlines", that almost reach ten minutes of length, very energetic and powerful, and quite original in many parts. What else? "Endless Ocean", a brief three minute interlude, very haunting and meditative, the excessively long "Tired", IMO the least appealing track of the album, that opens the final track of the album and my personal favorite "in Memoriam", an amazingly haunting but somewhat tense piece.

I think this album should be highly regarded, having all the winning cards for a great modern prog rock album.