You gotta hand it to a band like Magnum for never sitting idle and enjoying the odd nostalgia tour every now and then but always moving forward, being creative and constantly releasing new music. Since their reunion in 2002 after an eight year hiatus the band has released no less than ten records, this one being the 11th – that makes 21 studio albums all together. Band leaders and the only original members Tony Clarkin (guitar) and Bob Catley (vocals) are both in their 70’s now, album sales aren’t exactly hot for any artist these days but they still have the urge, drive and desire to write, record, release and then go out on tour. And what’s even better, their albums since Princess Alice And Broken Arrow (2007) have all been terrific efforts, some of them easily as good as back in their 80’s prime. Since Magnum has spoiled us with awesome music for the last 15 years (almost) it’s only natural that expectations rise whenever a new release is brought to our attention.
Opening with the epic pomp that is the title-track, Magnum brings on their classic sound and song-structure. It’s very melodic, symphonic and grandiose with an immense main-melody. It’s bombastic, the riffs are fat and the soundscape is large with the dramatic vocal melodies from Catley. The chorus is a total winner with an overload of catchiness. Great. The uptempo and upbeat “Remember” holds some chunky riffage, a foot-stomping rhythm and a some throwbacks to Magnum’s mid 80’s where Rick Benton delivers some fine piano and keyboards. The melodies are all accessible with an AOR touch in the distinct refrain. This should be a single. Very good.
“All You Believe In” is a soft-laden, upbeat ballad that dwells inside a pompous soundscape. The song is much in the vein of Magnum’s latter day albums but with a chorus-melody that flirts with the 80’s days. They keyboard parts are dramatic and Clarkin’s delicate guitar adds more character to the song with Catley’s soulful vocals on top. The chorus is big and hooky with a classic Magnum vibe to it. Good one. The lead-off single “I Won’t Let You Down” is an upbeat, Pop meets Pomp number with orchestrated strings that belongs in the late 60’s. The verse melodies are all quite intoxicating while the chorus brings on some AOR-isms of the late 80’s – very irresistible. A fantastic tune.
With a held-back and brittle verse “The Present Not The Past” goes for a bigger stomp and a faster pace throughout the song. Acoustic and electric guitars shares space with fine-tuned keyboards which brings on a bigger pomp-vibe. The chorus sport a heavier outlook with a chunky feel and Melodic Rock vocal-melodies with an intense catchiness. Very good. “No Steppin’ Stones”, the latest single, rocks out with a crunchier twist. On an edgy groove, the tune takes a turn towards Classic Rock, 70’s style with a swinging horn-section thrown in for good measure. It’s a live-friendly foot-stomper with a bit of a Stones-y touch that will make any festival crowd go into party mood. Great.
“The Freedom Word” opens quietly on a laid-back note but throughout the song, the tempo alters between a slower pace and more upbeat rhythms. At times it’s gentle and soft-spoken with a darker edge, other times it’s riffy, heavy and edgy but at all times it holds the recognizable Magnum melodies. Good one. “Your Blood Is Violence” is a 7-minute number. It’s a mid-tempo rocker with a rough-edged groove with some robust guitars and a thunderous rhythm-section – and the main riff is damn chunky one. Piano and keyboards gives the tune a bombastic edge too and some of the vocal-melodies throws a pop-touch into the song. Phenomenal stuff this.
“Walk The Silent Hours” is a slow, smooth ballad, half-jazzy with a lounge-music feel to it and a calming atmosphere – the vocal-lines are almost mesmeric. It sports a held-back rhythm, memorable melodies and a chorus that goes for a bigger outlook. It’s a comfy tune that brings on a floating feel, if that makes any sense. A bit different for a Magnum track but I dig it. “The Day After The Night Before” is a quite plain and straight-forward rocker, no-bull just go for the throat Hard Rock albeit with a slight Magnum pomp inserted. It’s firey, energetic and direct with another terrific refrain. Great.
The heaviness continues with “Come Holy Men” – heavy riffing, thunderous rhythms, tough beats and a powerful outlook, the song is sniffing around Metal territories at times albeit with a pompy, Melodic Rock melody arrangement. Magnum are usually not this heavy and angry sounding but the big melody-lines and the easily embraced and effective chorus still hold the classic Magnum trade-marks. Good one. The album closes with the acoustic-guitar driven semi-ballad “Can’t Buy Yourself A Heaven”. The acoustic guitars comes in a fine mixture of electric guitars, a solid beat and keyboards which holds the classic Magnum pomp. It’s on the verge of power balladry, it’s slick but not glossy and at times it brings on a slight folky touch. The chorus is big, of course and the hooks makes it impossible to resist. Damn good.
While you can’t expect any big surprises on a new Magnum release, they have their style and they stick to it, it never feels like they’re treading water or are on repeat, which is impressing after all those albums. What’s also impressive is that they still manage to write all those high-quality songs on album after album. This album is no exception. It holds a big soundscape, it’s pompous and powerful and the bad songs still refuse to show, thankfully. The biggest difference here is the cover. Magnum’s covers are usually very colorful and fantasy-tinged with wizards, unicorns, dragons and the the whole nine yards but this one’s quite simple, dark with a monster/demon/devil making it look more like a Black Metal record or something. I’m not that fond of the cover but I am fond of the music – and then some. Magnum has made a great record once again.
8/10
More Magnum reviews:
The Visitation
On The 13th Day
Escape From The Shadow Garden
Sacred Blood “Divine” Lies
Lost On The Road To Eternity
The Serpent Rings
Tracklist:
1. The Monster Roars
2. Remember
3. All You Believe In
4. I Won’t Let You Down
5. The Present Not The Past
6. No Steppin’ Stones
7. That Freedom Word
8. Your Blood Is Violence
9. Walk The Silent Hours
10. The Day After The Night Before
11. Come Holy Men
12. Can’t Buy Yourself A Heaven
CD & Festival reviews 