Line up:
Jon Oliva (Vocals, Piano, Keyboards, Guitars)
Christopher Kinder (Drums)
John Zahner (Keyboards, Organ, Piano)
Kevin Rothney (Bass)
Matt Laporte (Guitar)
Shane French (Guitar)
Jon Oliva's Pain released their second album back in September. Yes, it has taken me THAT long to get this review out the door. Aside from my general laziness the album has taken much longer to get into than the debut so I wanted to be sure of my ultimate judgement (drumroll.)
The music has roots back to the earliest
Savatage recordings. Some songs are based on guitar riffs that Jon's brother Criss Oliva (R.I.P.) wrote when he was very young, others are new creations. For old
Savatage fans like myself the involvement of Criss Oliva is enough to get the blood pumping. The album should please most fans of Jon-voiced
Savatage,
Doctor Butcher etc. While the album cannot compete with most of these classics it is still a highly enjoyable ride.
Genrewise the album finds itself caught up in old school heavy metal land where a distinct atmosphere hangs like a cloud over its head. The majority of the songs are rough and aggressive. Jon Oliva's voice is a trademark and he switches effortlessly between his gritty, in-your-face screams to the more mellow and incredibly emotional style. Maniacal Renderings is not as immediately catchy as the debut but I found it growing slowly with each listen.
Scattered throughout the album are several doorways to the past. The first comes in form of the main riff in the opener
Through the eyes of the king. Imagine
Hall of the mountain king at half speed and you will have an idea of what to expect.
Jon Oliva still holds incredible emotion in his voice. The melancholy he brings into the mix is often overwhelming. One example is the infinitely sad beginning to
The answer where I find myself emotionally involved right from the beginning and in shivers. The song feels like a spiritual successor to the Streets album and it is one of the best here.
Talking about being emotionally involved, if you are lucky enough to get the tin edition of the album you will be blessed with the bonus track,
Only you. It is a seriously moving song that under the right circumstances can make yours truly weep like a baby who has just lost his favorite toy.
Another favorite is
Timeless flight. It is a song that I can feel in my stomach. The way Jon sings certain lines just hits me deep. Nearing the end a great riff leads the song towards a completely satisfying conclusion. This section is really brilliant and gives the song an even stronger impact. If you don't understand people talking about the emotional edge in Jon Oliva's voice, then give this song a listen.
The title track has a mean, ultra heavy riff that drives the song along and an intense bridge section. One problem: The song is too long! This mostly due to an extensive instrumental section where every instrument gets its moment in the spotlight. This long section is unable to keep my concentration, and in turn it gives the song a fragmented feel. It would have benefited from a more compact design.
All songs have something to offer, except for the criminally bland
Push it to the Limit. The song doesn't do anything for me, mostly because of the inane chorus which got on my nerves from the first listen. The song has given new life to the "Skip" button on my remote control. I really push that button to the limit.
The songs I haven't mentioned all roam around in the "good but not phenomenal" area with the regular album closer
Still I pray for you now being my favorite of the bunch, providing yet another emotional journey into Jon Oliva's soul-filled voice.
My booklet has a short introduction comment to most of the tracks by Jon Oliva and this is a cool addition. What is not so cool is that several songs share exactly the same comment.
I haven't quite gotten as enamoured by Maniacal Renderings as I was with the debut. Often it shines bright and strong, but the rest of the time it settles comfortably in the area that is "just good". Passing my previously announced ultimate judgement I will say that this is a strong Heavy Metal album, guided by a solid rhythm section and a unique voice. It should appeal to anyone that likes heavy music with an emotional edge. I heartily recommend you to check it out.
As the year comes to an end I raise my glass in the hope that another
Savatage album does not remain In The Dream... Right now I am more than happy that Jon Oliva keeps on going strong.
Written by
Steen Sunday, December 31, 2006
Show all reviews by SteenRatingsSteen: 6.5/10Members: No members have rated this album yet.
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