MAGIC PIE: Fragments Of The 5th Element (PROGRESSIVE ROCK): review / opinion to read on Music Waves

In 2005, under the appearance of an apple, the world of progressive music discovered the Norwegians of Magic Pie and their first opus "Motions Of Desire". Formed in 2001, the band saw its members coming from different cities and different musical backgrounds, giving it a strong personality. Marrying the madness of The Flower Kings' Swedish neighbours, the freshness of A.C.T.'s, the fulgurances of Spock's Beard of the Neal Morse era, the sextet had however difficulties to get out of the shadow of its prestigious influences. In 2007, "The Suffering Joy" saw the arrival of a new singer with an Eirikur Hauksson whose voice oscillates between those of Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) and Herman Saming (A.C.T.). This arrival coincided with the incorporation of more metallic elements that had the merit to prove the band's ability to evolve but that had put off some people.

If "King For A Day" (2015) seemed to have found the right balance, "Fragments Of The 5th Element" has the ambition to impose the sextet on the summits of the genre. The recipe seems to be perpetuated with this new opus and it is still as exciting as ever. 'The Man Who Had It All' kicks off the festivities with a twirling introduction, followed by changes in tempo and mood. One thinks of the Beatles and Queen with intoxicating vocal harmonies. As for the guitars, they do a few heavy Dream Theater-like incartades before fading away in front of jazzy or old school keyboards a la Deep Purple. 'P & C' is the highlight after a short instrumental introduction followed by a cappella choruses. Between a jazz fusion keyboard solo and an atmospheric and emotional guitar solo, we also think of Yes and Genesis with a catchy theme and communicative energy.

If all this is simply irresistible, Magic Pie then decides to deviate from this path to engage on simpler tracks with regular tempi which are less interesting despite their quality. 'Table For Two' looks towards a more accessible pop in spite of a new nice keyboard solo and 'Touched By An Angel' stretches its nice ballad over more than eight minutes with delicacy and a refrain bewitching. The luminous final solo ends up arousing curiosity just before the album's signature track, the epic 'The Hedonist' with its 23 minutes of twists and turns. Technical, varied and melodic, it alternates power and finesse without ever letting go of the catchphrase to the point that it is impossible to realize that almost half an hour has passed when the end comes to our greatest regret. Spinny introduction a la Spock's Beard, Purple-like hard rock passages, some others aerial a la Genesis, instrumental delirium a la Flower Kings, symphonic pre-final a la Yes and luminous final solo: nothing is spared to us and we remain speechless in front of such a monument.

Despite a decrease of intensity in its center, "Fragments Of The 5th Element" is nevertheless the confirmation of Magic Pie's immense talent and strong personality. Like any progressive rock band worthy of the name, the band led by Kim Stenberg takes the listener on a unique and unforgettable journey. Much more than the Norwegian counterpart of the Flower Kings, Magic Pie imposes its own identity and it would be a shame for fans to miss it. - Official website

MAGIC PIE

FRAGMENTS OF THE 5TH ELEMENT

KARISMA RECORDS

PROGRESSIVE ROCK