On disc: Magnum

 
 Breath Of Life
  
- Amir Djawadi -
 
 


 
 Long Days Black Nights
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 The Visitation
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 


 
 Evolution
 
- Claudia Ehrhardt -
 
 

Evolution

(SPV - 2011)



 
 

 

Magnum returned in 2001 and now the British decided to do a best-of of this decade. Some might say it's too early to do a best-of with songs which are quite new. They even have song The Visitation on this compilation, an album which was released earlier this year. Evolution offers re-recorded versions and even 2 new songs, see below.



At the end of the day fans will decide, if they prefer the originals or the re-recorded versions, but the new songs are what they will mainly talk about. As usual some will criticize a compilation like that, but in my opinion it makes sense to get younger fans an overlook of the last decade. Others might have listened to them in the 80's and then lost track, so this is giving them the best of the 'new' Magnum. Sometimes the new versions aren't that different, others - like Brand New Morning - get revived by new bass / guitar parts. And that's exactly the songs which will divide the fans, so I can only tell you to check out the new songs and make up your mind about it.



The Fall is one of the new songs which are placed at the end of the disc. It starts slowly, but the up-tempo tune with a memorable guitar line. The song also shows well that Magnum are still alive and kicking. The closer Do You Know Who You Are? needs more than one spin to show his beauty, but personally I like this kind of songs and would like to hear more songs like this.



If you need Evolution? That's a question I can't answer, but as we are in the digital age you can pick the songs you want as MP3s. But many fans of Magnum will still prefer CDs and as most songs are re-recorded and there are 2 new tracks, I think it's no rip-off. Songs change when you play them live a lot or after several years you just changed your mind about this and that. This is a good way to show how Magnum like the songs of the last decade to sound nowadays. Looking forward to hear more new songs from the British!





Track list:



That Holy Touch (re-recorded)

Just Like January (re-recorded)

Brand New Morning (re-recorded)

Immigrant Son (re-recorded)

When We Were Younger (re-recorded)

Out Of The Shades (re-recorded)

All My Bridges (re-recorded)

Blood On Your Barbed Wire Thorns

The Visitation

Wild Angels

The Fall (new song)

Do You Know Who You Are? (new song)

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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The Visitation

(SPV - 2011)



 
 

 

Magnum are around for almost 4 decades and with The Visitation they present their 15th studio album. And nobody really expect Magnum to change drastically, so you get what you expect from Tony Clarkin, Bob Catley  and their fellows. But wait, this time the songs seem to be a bit heavier, coz Clarkin's guitar is more up-front. It's been less then two years since the release of Into The Valley Of The Moon King and obviously the band had a creative boost after touring for the album in 2009...

The kick off with Black Skies, the bombastic rock song is based on heavy riffs and with a melancholy edge. Black Skies needs time to grow, it won't hook you up immediately, so give it a few spins. Doors To Nowhere is different, you will enjoy it right away. Bombastic and powerful, riff-based and with a cool guitar solo they present Doors To Nowhere - this is what Magnum fans love the band for. The title track The Visitation is a bit bulky with tempi changes and different atmospheres. A quite progressive tune, but it still has all the trademarks of the Magnum sound. Another tune which needs time to grow. Songs like Wild Angels and Spin Like A Wheel are hook-laden, especially Spin Like A Wheel will enchant you. With Freedom Day they present another powerful, heavy, guitar-driven tune, but spice it up with a slow, melancholy keyboard passage. Definitely one of the highlights of The Visitation! With Mother Nature's Final Dance they will remind us of the ongoing ecological destruction. A serious topic, but it seems that they want to courage us to fight against it, the chorus has a positive vibe and seems to light up the dark. More cheerful sounds Midnight Kings, a tune you soon will sing along to. And with the balladesque Tonight's The Night they close this chapter.

The Visitation is available as regular jewel case CD, limited edition digipak with a bonus DVD and a double gatefold LP in colored vinyl!

The Brummies show that they still know how to write good songs and that they are still full of passion and ideas. Don't miss them on tour! And let's hope for more!

 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Long Days Black Nights

(Castle Music - 2002)



 
 

 

Every hard rock / metal fan have heard about the British band Magnum who were big from the mid-80's to the early 90's. They recorded quite a few classic tunes which are still played today. Now a 3 CD box set called Long Days Black Nights - The Alternative Anthology is getting in the stores. On the 3 discs are 50 songs from the history of Magnum which started with the release of their debut in 1978 and ended with the split in 1995. And so the trip through the history of partners in crime Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin starts with the title track of their debut Kingdom Of Madness. A chronological trip through time which includes also live versions which were just released as singles. So this 3 CD box has all the essential Magnum songs as well as single releases which are collectors items nowadays and live versions. Additionally - at the end of disc no. 3 - there are 4 tracks added which were recorded at the famous BBC Friday Rock Show on May, 27th 1983. The recording session includes The Prize, Breakdown, Vicious Companions and Road To Paradise which is a document of time.

Even if you have all CDs of the British rockers this collection is interesting for fans. If you just discovered the old British heroes then this is the best way to learn about Magnum. Especially the booklet gives an in-depth look - as much as possible in a booklet - at the history of Magnum with a lot of photos. This is not one of the compilations which are just released to make money, this box set is worth spending the money for long time fans and new friends of Magnum's music. Well done!
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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Breath Of Life

(SPV - 2002)



 
 

 

Magnum is an ice-cream, Magnum is a crime series with an Hawaii-shirts wearing private investigator and Magnum is the manufacturer of a know revolver brand. But Magnum is also, and not to neglect, an old British rock band, which unrealized of the most , has an 25 year old band history. After the release of Rock Art in 1994, it became quite silent around the British men, but just in time to the anniversary they presented their 11th studio output, named Breath Of Life.

This contains 12 new tracks out of the feather of guitarist Tony Clarkin - there will be a limited first edition, which includes  a bonus CD with 6 more tracks - e.g. Must Have Been Love and Born To Be King. And the good news for all long-time-fans or also for those, who have tested this disc. Magnum make a tour across Europe in spring 2002 and also play on some festivals in summer.

Then songwriter Tony Clarkin, shouter Bob Catley, keyboarder Mark Stanway and bassist Al Barrow are, once again, able to convince thousands of their life-qualities, when they play songs like Still, Dream About You or The Face Of An Enemy and once more confirm their status as one of the most popular bands of the melodic rock sector.
 
 










Claudia Ehrhardt


  
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