When Magic Pie made their American debut at ROSfest on 30th April 2006, they led off with the epic Change from their first album, Motions Of Desire. Their reasoning, as they later explained, was that they were fearful that the crowd would not take to their brand of progressive music, so they wanted to get the big one out of the way first. As anyone who was there can attest, the band garnered a standing ovation for that piece, and for the performance as a whole. Fast forward nearly twenty years, and the band has gone through some radical changes, leaving guitarist and songwriter Kim Stenberg as the sole original member.
Vocalist Eirikur Hauksson has now been with the band since the third album, this time around contributing both lyrics and vocal arrangements. To be honest, I have always found his voice to be an acquired taste; it strikes me as being too stereotypically heavy metal for the music the band is presenting. As a result, it took a long time for this album to finally reveal its pleasures. I’m glad I stuck with it, as my first impressions would have resulted in a very different review.
The album opens with Opus Imperfectus Pt. 1 – The Missing Chord. The song, in seven sections, relates the story of a composer who has completed his masterwork, “but at the end, there is still one missing chord”. During a performance thirty years later, the Maestro finally reveals the final chord, leaving the audience in stunned silence. But is it the missing chord? Thankfully, the music accompanying the story is just as dramatic. Ominous synths and a grand orchestral arrangement offer the promise of something different until Kim Stenberg’s guitar punches the listener into metal territory. However, Erling Henanger’s keys shine through the beautiful mix (by White Willow’s Jacob Holm-Lupo) enough to keep the arrangement from veering in the direction of metallic sludge. While Eirikur Hauksson’s vocals still leave me longing for original vocalists Eirik Hanssen and Allan Olsen, the backing vocal harmonies smooth out the rougher edges and nudge me toward grudging respect for Hauksson’s talents. New drummer Martin Utby locks in beautifully with Lars Petter Holstad, both of them opting for the more is more approach, but here it works magnificently. For my money, it is still Henanger’s performance, particularly in the orchestral sections, that make this epic soar. Stenberg is a smart composer, and he knows the key to keeping an epic length song interesting is to vary the mood and tempo every few minutes. The electric piano solo midway through mines a jazz fusion vibe until the subsequent guitar solo, bolstered by heavy-duty bass and drums, re-anchors the song firmly in the rock format. Henanger’s use of a wide variety of keyboard sounds and textures, along with sublime background vocals, make Opus Imperfectus swoop and dive, as emotional as it is technical.
A lighter guitar touch and subdued keys are at the core of By The Smokers Pole, giving the song space to breathe and lending an airy but solemn feel. By the time Stenberg’s guitar and the rhythm section take over, the song really takes off, feeling as if it has ended much too soon. The metal assault returns on Name It To Tame It, and Hauksson’s voice resorts to cliché, leaving the background vocals to push this one over the finish line. The acoustic guitar is a nice touch, but the song’s repetition works against its length as the rhythm guitar approach varies little. Thankfully, Utby goes all octopus on drums, providing a focal point without overwhelming the song. Kiddo… barely breaks the two minute mark, yet offers a respite from the heavier elements that precede it. Desolate winds, birdsong and understated synth and acoustic guitar ride a slinky bass line and heavenly harmonies for a hint of vintage Pie.
Someone Else’s Wannabe explodes out of the speakers with every instrument and vocal vying for centre stage. The bright mix makes it perfect for headphones. Once more, Rich Mouser’s mastering leaves every nuance to be clearly heard. When Stenberg concentrates on a pummeling rhythm or Henanger duals with him on keys, the impact is that much more effective thanks to the clarity. Hauksson even drops the metal pretence for one of his most affecting vocal turns. Driving guitar and drums segue into a pop-ish melody for Everyday Hero, yet the song never releases its hold on the insistent rhythm. An ode to the working man, it sounds like a future live staple with its sing-along chorus:
I know my rank – my place in line
I don’t make decisions, and my one ambition
Is to get through the day. Come rain – come shine.
The album concludes with Opus Imperfectus Pt. 2 – Maestro. Picking up the themes of Pt. 1 in a more concise manner, it is also much more vocal-centric. Guitar and synth trade instrumental leads, pushing the song ever higher, until Stenberg’s twin guitar lead takes the song to heaven. Lyrically, does it answer the question about the missing chord? The last words of the song address that query with:
Had you fulfilled your quest…
And found that missing chord
Maestro is full of moments of magnificence and frustration. When the band embraces their progressive roots, they shine brightly. When they go the way of pedestrian progressive metal, the sheen is tarnished. Magic Pie is a talented bunch of gentlemen, and Opus Imperfectus is one of their finest songs. There is plenty to admire here, and just maybe I am nit-picking. Don’t get me wrong – I do love my metal, but the Pie’s version of it feels bloodless and by-the-book. Maestro is one of those albums that will find me using the skip button more than is typical.
TRACK LISTING
01. Opus Imperfectus Pt.1 – The Missing Chord (18:29)
02. By The Smokers Pole (4:19)
03. Name It To Tame It (7:10)
04. Kiddo…. (2:12)
05. Someone Else’s Wannabe (7:34)
06. Everyday Hero (5:09)
07. Opus Imperfectus Pt. 2 – Maestro (4:16)
Total Time – 49:09
MUSICIANS
Eirikur Hauksson – Lead Vocals
Lars Petter Holstad – Bass, Vocals
Martin Utby – Drums
Erling Henanger – Keyboards, Vocals
Kim Stenberg – Guitars, Vocals
ADDITIONAL INFO
Record Label: Karisma Records
Country of Origin: Norway
Date of Release: 16th May 2025
LINKS
Magic Pie – Website | Facebook | Bandcamp (Karisma Records) | YouTube | Instagram
