THE VISITATION

Some Magnum albums can be hard to evaluate when there are a lot of commercial rock cliches onboard. The influence of bands like Journey and Foreigner seem to be worn on the sleeve as such with the heavy pomp rock posturing on display. This is solid and expertly crafted as expected, following very hot on the heels of 2009's 'Into the Valley of the Moonking'. The material this time is predominantly hard rock lightly peppered with power balladry and despite having just 10 tracks, it feels somewhat flabbier than the previous album. The title track has tension and drama while 'Freedom Day' continues the dark undercurrent of cynicism and world- weariness but most surprising this time is the track 'The Last Frontier'- a mellow track with a great melody and anthemic strings which delivers some much needed variety amid the doom and gloom. Thematically, this album dwells in lament and mortality, often wallowing in the passing of time as evidenced visually by the memento mori in the Rodney Mathews cover art. It is this sense of artistry that sets Magnum apart from the aforementioned North American AOR supergroups- The lyrics are smart, measured, insightful and prose-worthy. The music is therefore elevated by this and not just relegated to FM radio playlists.

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