TORMAN MAXT — The Problem of Pain (Part 1) (review)

TORMAN MAXT — The Problem of Pain (Part 1) album cover

Album · 2007 · Progressive Metal

0.5/5 · 2010-04-22
ByTor

Originally posted on ProgArchives.com

Hmm...

Torman Maxt is a band that's been hanging around since 1994, yet have only released three albums to date, and are not very well known at all. There may be a good reason for this, however. While the band claims to play progressive metal reminiscent of Dream Theater [DT] and Rush they sound more like something of a church bound garage band. This album is part one of a two part saga, a story about a guy named Job. Yes, Job. While it's clear that this is an allusion to the bible, it's fairly awkward and somewhat embarrassing to hear all throughout the album. As for the vocals, yes they are reminiscent of DT and Rush, but not really as high. Is that good or bad? It's up to you.

The album is supposed to be the Maxt's 2112, and it shows that they really wanted to copy the pattern. The album opens with Overture, which is a short instrumental reminiscent of some kind of hair metal band from the 80s jamming to their hearts content. What is nice about it however is the fact that it flows fairly nicely into the next track, Job's Song. This song is definitely a highlight of the album and it's where the story and character are introduced. Not a ton to say about it still. Also good is the acoustic, Job's Contemplation, a soothing track that is far too short for it's own good. Another fairly good song is Satan's First Song. With some good Coheed-and-Cambria-like instrumentalism at the end. Here, it is annoying again that the name Job just keeps coming up (Someone please change that name!). It's too bad that Satan's Second Song sounds exactly the same as the first, otherwise they might have had something good going there. Surely, the only difference between the two of them is the name and the length. The second one being a bit shorter. One final high point of the album is the very last song, with some bizarre ambient progressive things going on about halfway through that will actually please the average prog-head. It's too bad though, all of these high points are freakishly short lived.

After that is a mixture of things, some songs are very short and forgettable, sounding like modern alt rock more than anything. Really, any title with Job in it will accomplish this and, hey, there's enough of those to feed a small nation. It also seems that this band likes to recycle that one guitar riff throughout all of these songs. A riff as a recurring motif in a concept album is more than okay, but using the same riff, and indeed (in some cases) same guitar solos without any changes in them is just plain unforgivable.

A couple of very annoying points. There are too many songs on here that simply sound too much like a church hymn. The Angel's First Song for example, with it's repeating chorus of 'Holy, Holy, Holy Lord' is enough to annoy any nihilist or non-Christian. This is also not to mention that the way that that particular repeating line is sung is enough to make the ears fall off a cat. Simply annoying. Job's Resolve is similar in this way, with the main character making some sort of prayer 'You are the father...' yada yada yada. Luckily, Angel's Second Song actually has a bit of good ambient Prog in there... for about half of it anyways. Then they're right back in there with their repetition of that freaking hymn. this time, however, it lasts for less time, and that's a good thing.

Well, what shall this be rated...?

This band clearly needs some inspiration to write more than one riff for an album and maybe pick a more avant gard way of discussing religion. While religion is an interesting enough topic there's already too much music out there trying to make the most of it. This album is clearly for the Christian rockers of the world who want some kind of concept album to listen to. That would be fine if it was better done. This is an album to avoid for anyone who is uninterested in religion, or any prog head in general. This is Christian rock music, nothing much more. Maybe this review has missed the point, but there's too much to look around to see the point if there is one. 0.5 star -- miss it. If you're still interested this album is available for free download on the band's website.