Jon Oliva's Pain: Maniacal Renderings

Jon Oliva's Pain are back with their follow-up to 2004's spectacular 'Tage Mahal, the equally impressive Maniacal Renderings. The legendary singer (Savatage, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Doctor Butcher) and his cast of stellar musicians, guitarists Shane French & Matt LaPorte, bassist Kevin Rothney, keyboard player John Zahner, and drummer Christopher Kinder, have created a powerful mix of classic and symphonic prog -metal that will thrill fans of Savatage and the first JOP album. "Through the Eyes of the King" is riff heavy and majestic metal all the way, complete with thunderous riffs and drum work, plus Oliva's powerful vocals screaming over the top as if it was 1988 all over again. The title track and "The Evil Beside You" are both symphonic progressive tinged power metal numbers loaded with hooks, keyboards, and tasty guitar work, the latter having a slight similarity to the classic "When the Crowds Are Gone".

Jon and the boys buckle down for some truly heavy stuff on "Time to Die", a real snarling riff monster of a track that shows just how mean this band can get. Featuring a raging vocal from Oliva and plenty of scorching pinch harmonic guitar squeals, this is one of the album's strongest cuts. Piano and soaring harmonies permeate the lovely "The Answer", which then segues into a total change of pace on the blistering speed metal track "Push It to the Limit", a real workout for Kinder who attacks his kit with venemous rage on this barnburner. The band adds a symphonic and theatrical rock opera flair to "Who's Playing God", a theme continued on "Timeless Flight", a song that starts out as a melodic ballad and morphs into a crunchy rocker with layers of vocals, keyboards, heavy riffs, and wild lead guitar.

Oliva delivers a menacing and doomy vocal on the crushing "Holes", a slower, more grinding piece that will remind of Hall of the Mountain King era Savatage. The near 8-minute "End Times" is the album's most progressive piece, with no shortage of ominous keyboards, Oliva's majestic piano and emotional vocals, and textured guitar work. The finale "Still I Pray For You Now" is a gentle vocal/piano/guitar number that brings the album to a quiet conclusion allows you to slowly ponder what you just experienced. For many , Maniacal Renderings will leave you reminiscing about the glory days of Savatage, as Jon Oliva has not given up creating music that follows the same path as his old band. Let's be thankful that he continues to do so.

Track Listing
1. Through The Eyes Of The King
2. Maniacal Renderings
3. The Evil Beside You
4. Time To Die
5. The Answer
6. Push It To The Limit
7. Who's Playing God
8. Timeless Flight
9. Holes
10. End Times
11. Still I Pray For You Now

Added: December 4th 2006
Reviewer: Pete Pardo
Score:
Related Link: Jon Oliva Website
Hits: 5391
Language: english

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